Former All Blacks prop Craig Dowd wrote in his column for ESPN following the British & Irish Lions squad announcement midweek that we would begin to see the contenders for All Blacks selection starting to make their presence felt in Super Rugby.
We certainly saw that from the Hurricanes and the Crusaders, but perhaps the Highlanders and Chiefs didn't get the memo.
While the four New Zealand sides who played over the weekend all recorded wins, it was last year's champions and the most successful side in the competition's history who stood out from the pack, with some front-line All Blacks showing promising form ahead of the Lions series.
With that in mind, here is the New Zealand team of the week.
BACKS:
15. David Havili (Crusaders)
Very elusive on the counter attack for the Crusaders, giving them momentum and the platform to punish the Stormers defence. Beat 12 defenders from his 16 runs with ball in hand, with his best break kicking off an offload frenzy that led to a try in the first half.
14. Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs)
The Chiefs' match against the Force in Perth won't be remembered beyond next week, but young Stevenson put in another impressive shift when the ball came his way. In tandem with Damian McKenzie the duo were the most threatening on attack for the Chiefs in a sluggish game.
13. Vince Aso (Hurricanes)
Aso is having a break out season for the Hurricanes who are scoring tries for fun. The centre ran in three tries against the Brumbies in Napier, showing plenty of pace and power in the process. His first five-pointer was the pick of the bunch, beating three defenders from forty metres out.
12. Matt Faddes (Highlanders)
Despite playing at outside centre this week, I've had to make room for Faddes at second five such was his performance against the Sunwolves. The Highlanders were anything but polished in Invercargill, but Faddes certainly put his hand up to start regularly in the midfield with some lovely running lines leading to a brace of tries.
11. George Bridge (Crusaders)
A brilliant game from the young Crusaders wing who looks more than comfortable at Super Rugby level. An out and out finisher who has a determination to get over the whitewash as he showed particularly in the first try of his hat-trick against the Stormers.
10. Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)
The cliche is overused, but Barrett has the ball on a string at the moment. Showcased his full array of skills against the Brumbies, with his cross-field kicking leading to three of the Hurricanes tries while his running game was also typically threatening. Richie Mo'unga was brilliant for the Crusaders but he -- like many other first fives in World Rugby -- is a step below Barrett's class.
9. TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
It was no coincidence that once Perenara came off the bench, the Hurricanes upped the ante and ran in six unanswered tries. Very composed cameo with his quick distribution allowing the Canes to unleash attack after attack. Lovely pass to put Mark Abbott through from close range.
FORWARDS:
1. Joe Moody (Crusaders)
Looked refreshed and energetic after the week off against one of the best scrums in Super Rugby. Set the early tone at the set piece in the sixth minute as he went to town on the Stormers tighthead. Still think he has more to offer in the lead up to the Lions series, but it was a promising performance.
2. Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
Taylor is solidifying his mark behind Dane Coles in the All Blacks pecking order with a string of strong performances in a formidable Crusaders pack. Like Coles, he has the ball skills that are so valuable to the way New Zealand will want to play against the Lions as he showed with a lovely one handed offload to put Kieran Read for the first of his two tries.
3. Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes)
Might be one of those lofty calls that doesn't happen, but I wouldn't bet against Toomaga-Allen adding to his solitary All Blacks cap that he picked up in 2013. At just 26-years-old, he's only just entering his prime as a prop, and he is a big part of the Hurricanes engine room that allows their rock-star backs to flourish. Only came off with six minutes to go in a mighty effort that meant plenty against the Brumbies.
4. Mark Abbott (Hurricanes)
One of those players that every team loves to have. Abbott does so much of the unseen work in the tight and at set piece for the Hurricanes, who don't have the names in the forwards that they do out wide. Thoroughly deserved another try too at his adopted home ground in Napier.
5. Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
One of Steve Hansen's first names in his All Blacks starting XV to face the Lions continues to go about his work without a raised eyebrow in Super Rugby. Another big shift for the Chiefs in an uninspiring game against the Force, and was right on deck to help shove Liam Messam over the line for his side's only [allowed] try.
6. Brad Shields (Hurricanes)
Had the honour of captaining the Hurricanes against the Brumbies and didn't let his side down as the blindside flanker led from the front with a number of bruising tackles. Deserves to be in the conversation for an All Blacks call up.
7. Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
Let's just say Wharenui Hawera will be having nightmares after Savea sent the Brumbies fly-half into next week with a massive tackle. That wasn't the only highlight from the 'Canes openside as he went full beast moment on several occasions in defence and the breakdown. On form, should wear the No. 7 jersey for the All Blacks against the Lions.
8. Kieran Read (Crusaders)
It hasn't taken the All Blacks captain long to discover a bit of form, and perhaps a long injury lay-off and an extended rehabilitation will be the best thing for him to peak for the Lions. Left a big imprint in just half a game for the Crusaders with two tries well finished in the wider channels as well as some quick hands in the lead up to one of George Bridge's scores.