For the first time in eight seasons the Blues are four on the trot, their best consecutive record, and are firmly in the playoff race. With Ma'a Nonu turning back the clock, they've truly impressed, but can they make it five in a row in Round 9?
Elsewhere the round is highlighted by the Queensland Reds hitting the road on their Africa tour, while the Sharks face the Jaguares to solidify their place at the top of their conference.
(Note: All times are Australian Eastern Daylight Time)
Jump ahead to a particular game.
Rebels vs Stormers Chiefs vs Blues
Brumbies vs Lions Sharks vs Jaguares
Friday, April 12
Crusaders vs Highlanders, 5:35pm, Christchurch stadium, Christchurch
Crusaders: David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Sevu Reece, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Whetukamokamo Douglas, sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody. Replacements: Ben Funnell, Harry Allan, Oliver Jager, Quinten Strange, Jordan Taufua, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Will Jordan.
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Matt Faddesm Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Josh Ioane, Kayne Hammingont, Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Tom Frnklin, Pari Pari Parkinson, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Daniel Leinert-Brown. Replacements: Ash Dixon, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Dixon, Jackson Hemopo, Folou Fakatava, Bryn Gatland, Sio Tomkinson.
Melbourne Rebels vs Stormers, 7:45pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Rebels: Reece Hodge, Semisi Tupou, Tom English, Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Isi Naisarani, Angus Cottrell, Luke Jones, Adam Coleman, Ross Haylett-Petty, Sam Talakai, Robbie Abel, Tetera Faulkner. Replacements: Hugh Roach, Matt Gibbon, Jermaine Ainsely, Esei Ha'angana, Rob Leota, Richard Hardwick, Michael Ruru, Campbell Magnay.
Stormers: Damian Willemse, Sergeal Petersen, Ruhan Nel, Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Herschel Jantjies, Jaco Coetzee, Kobus van Dyk, Ernst van Rhyn, Cobus Wiese, Salmaan Moerat, Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements: Scarra Ntubeni, Corne Fourie, Frans Malherbe, Johan du Toit, Juarno Augustus, Justin Phillips, Joshua Stander, Seabelo Senatla.
Saturday, April 13
Chiefs vs Blues, 5:30pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Sean Wainui, Tamua Manu, Anton Lenert-Brown, Solomon Alaimalo, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber, Taleni Seu, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Tyler Ardron, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Angus Ta'avao. Replacements: Samison Taukei'aho, Ryan Coxon, Sosefo Kautai, Jesse Parete, Pita Gus Sowakula, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Alex Nankivell, Ataata Moeakiola.
Blues: Melani Nanai, Caleb Clark, TJ Faiane, Ma'a Nonu, Reiko Ioane, Otere Black, Jonathan Ruru, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, James Parsons, Karl Tu'inukuafe. Replacements: Matt Moulds, Alex Hodgman, Sione Mafileo, Josh Goodhue, Jed Brown, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Matt Duffie.
Brumbies vs Lions, 7:45pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Brumbies: Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Tom Wright, Toni Pulu, Christian Lealiifano (c), Joe Powell, Lachlan McCaffrey, Tom Cusack, Pete Samu, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga'a, Scott Sio. Replacements: Josh Mann-Rea, James Slipper, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Darcy Swain, Jahrome Brown, Matt Lucas, Irae Simone, Andy Muirhead.
Lions: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Franco Naude, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Elton Jantjies, Nic Groom, Hacjivah Dayimani, Stephan Lewies, Cyle Brink, Marvin Orie , Rhyno Herbst, Johannes Jonker, Malcolm Marx, Nathan McBeth Replacements: Robbie Coetzee, Sti Sithole, Carlu Sadie, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Marnus Schoeman, Ross Cronje, Gianni Lombard, Sylvian Mahuza..
Sharks vs Jaguares, 11:05pm, Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
Sharks: Curwin Bosch, Lwazi Mvovo, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Robert du Preez, Louis Schreuder (captain), Daniel du Preez, Philip van der Walt, Luke Stringer, Hyron Andrews, Ruben van Heerden, Thomas du Toit, Kerron van Vuuren, Juan Schoeman Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Mzamo Majola, John-Hubert Meyer, J.J. van der Mescht, Jean-Luc du Preez, Grant Williams, Kobus van Wyk, Aphelele Fassi.
Jaguares: Joaquin Tuculet, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Emiliano Boffelli, Domingo Miotti, Tomas Cubelli, Tomas Lezana, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Santiago Medrano, Julian Montoya, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro. Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Mayco Vivas, Enrique Pieretto, Javier Ortega Desio, Rodrigo Bruni, Felipe Ezcurra, Juan Cruz Mallia, Santiago Carreras.
Sunday, April 14
Bulls vs Queensland Reds, 1:15am, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Bulls: Warrick Gelant, Johnny Kotze, Jesse Kriel, Burger Odendaal, Jade Stighling, Handré Pollard (captain), Ivan van Zyl, Paul Schoeman, Hanro Liebenberg, Marco van Staden, R.G. Snyman, Jannes Kirsten, Trevor Nyakane, Jaco Visagie, Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: Corniel Els, Simphiwe Matanzima, Wiehan Herbst, Thembelani Bholi, Roelof Smit, Embrose Papier, Manie Libbok, Divan Rossouw.
Reds: Hamish Stewart, Jack Hardy, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi, Aidan Toua, Bruce Hegarty, Tate McDermott, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Harry Hockings, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, JP Smith. Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Hoopert, Ruan Smith, Angus Blyth, Moses Sorovi, Duncan Paia'aua, Jock Campbell.