All eyes were on the players this weekend but the jostling amongst pundits for top drawer billing was just as thrilling
Friday evening's match between the Chiefs and Moana Pasifika will give Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan a first look at how his squad is tracking ahead of the competition's February 18 kick-off.
The Chiefs have brought in a host of additional players ahead of the coming Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Hurricanes coaching staff have named a 34-man squad to take on the Crusaders in Ashburton this Saturday.
Taranaki have held onto the Ranfurly Shield in their first defence of the year, but more important – they unearthed another Naholo that torments defences.