Another weekend of Super Rugby is in the books as the hunt for playoff places as well as a crack at the British & Irish Lions moved up another gear.
The 'Battle of the Bombays' was a good old arm-wrestle as the Blues and Chiefs played out a draw, before the Highlanders, Crusaders and Hurricanes all posted victories against overseas opposition in what's been the continued trend of this year's competition.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen names his squad to face the Lions on June 8 and based on this weekend's performances he'll have a few selection dilemmas.
With that in mind, let's look at the latest New Zealand team of the week.
Backs
15. David Havili (Crusaders)
Quite possibly the form fullback in New Zealand right now. Made a mockery of the Rebels with ball in hand with four clean breaks and 10 defenders beaten. Lovely bullet pass to put Manasa Mataele away for the first Crusaders try while his sidestep-fend combo to score was outstanding. Damian McKenzie showed shades of brilliance too for the Chiefs.
14. Waisake Naholo (Highlanders)
After sitting out last week through suspension Naholo came back with a hiss and a roar against the Waratahs. Highlight moment came late in the piece when he bulldozed through Bryce Hegarty to set up Lima Sopoaga for a try; one of several strong carries from the All Blacks winger.
13. Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders)
Used predominantly on the wing for the Crusaders this season but returned to the midfield with aplomb. His handling skills against the Rebels were freakish as he comfortably carried the ball with one hand, releasing three pinpoint offloads. Denied his nephew Matele a double as he barged over for a try of his own.
12. Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes)
Bashing down the door for All Blacks selection just as hard as he barges through defenders. Ran a lovely line before scooting around the fullback to score his 12th try of the season, just one short of his midfield partner Vince Aso. His defence is still a work on; five tackles and four missed. Sonny Bill Williams had one of his better games in a Blues shirt.
11. Rieko Ioane (Blues)
After a bit of a dip mid-season, Ioane is starting to find some of his best form on the wing for the Blues. Scored his fifth try in four games at the weekend with a perfectly timed run one off the ruck. Proved to be elusive throughout in tricky conditions against the Chiefs as he puts his hand up to make the All Blacks 23 to face the Lions.
10. Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders)
Was only on the park at Forsyth Barr Stadium for 20 minutes, but his impact was profound. Showed brilliant skills to set up two tries and score another to help the Highlanders to their ninth-straight win. Must start next week in what promises to be a classic showdown with Richie Mo'unga and the Crusaders in Christchurch.
9. TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
Deserved man of the match award for the Hurricanes halfback who had to step up after the late withdrawal of Beauden Barrett. Moved into first-five momentarily after Otere Black took a head knock to put away Ngani Laumape for a try, while his turnover steal at the ruck after a lost grubber kick set up Wes Goosen in the corner.
Forwards
1. Kane Hames (Chiefs)
If you like scrums, you were well served on an awful night weather wise in Auckland as Kane Hames and Charlie Faumuina squared off at Eden Park. It was a fair old contest but Hames had Faumuina back-peddling on more than one occasion, with one big heave leading to three points. Should be in the mix to add to his one All Blacks Test.
2. Ben Funnell (Crusaders)
Codie Taylor was given the week off, and Funnell didn't miss a beat. Great hands to keep the momentum rolling before the Crusaders scored their first try, while his line-out throwing was right on the money with seven from seven; one of which led to a try from a driving maul.
3. Siua Halanukonuka (Highlanders)
It's difficult to go past another memorable moment from the big Highlanders tighthead. After pulling out one of the most outrageous goose-steps ever seen against the Force last week, Halanukonuka came within inches from scoring after a big 30-metre burst, with the Highlanders crossing from the next phase. Keep the highlights coming Siua.
4. Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
Perhaps not a vintage 'Brodie Retallick' game but -- other than his All Blacks partner Sam Whitelock -- he's a class above the rest. Damian McKenzie doesn't score the brilliant solo try without Retallick getting up and batting the ball back from the re-start. 18 tackles and just the one missed shows the mountain of work he gets through on defence too.
5. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)
What a freakish performance. His barnstorming run to set up the Crusaders first try had the Australian commentators salivating while his pass for Jed Brown to score his second was top drawer for a big man. Should be used out in the wider tramlines more often based on that effort against the Rebels.
6. Steven Luatua (Blues)
Continues to tick the right boxes for the Blues as All Blacks loose forwards Jerome Kaino and Liam Squire sit on the sidelines. Would've been eager to right a few wrongs having been red carded in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, and did so for the most part with a key lineout steal and some strong work both sides of the ball in a scrappy match.
7. Jed Brown (Crusaders)
Just as Whetu Douglas and Heiden Bedwell-Curtis have done before him, Brown slotted in seamlessly for the Crusaders when called upon as an early injury replacement. Never scored a Super Rugby try before, but grabbed two against the Rebels, while his offload to help David Havili on his way for a try was exemplary.
8. Jordan Taufua (Crusaders)
Luke Whitelock made a strong return for the Highlanders, Brad Shields had another storming game for the Hurricanes while Liam Messam led the tackle count for the Chiefs, but Taufua gets the edge for his bruising carries for the Crusaders against the Rebels. Huge fend on big Amanaki Mafi to put Mitchell Drummond away was particularly impressive.