It is a long way from the tiny Tongan village of Faleloa to the white-hot cauldron of an All Black test.

The trickle is becoming a surge as Super 15 players desert their New Zealand franchises for the rewards of Japan and Europe.

The Hurricanes and Highlanders couldn't have experienced a more contrasting build-up ahead of their Friday night showdown in the capital.

The loss to the Chiefs not only extended the Blues' away losing record to 13 in a row, it also effectively ended their chances of making the playoffs.

The Hurricanes can look forward to home cooking for the rest of the Super Rugby season.

Back in the top three and once again the competition's leading try scorers - this should be a rather relaxing bye week for the Chiefs.

This wasn't a message to the rest of the competition from the Crusaders, this was a massacre.

They did their best to throw away the win but the Highlanders hung on to set up an intriguing battle with the Hurricanes on Friday night.

Big Ben Tameifuna has a big decision to make — stay with the Chiefs or sign with Toulouse and most likely commit to playing for Tonga at next year’s World Cup.

Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands are on the hunt for players and are putting pressure on those eligible for the Island nations.

They did their best to throw away the win but the Highlanders barely hung on to set up an intriguing battle with the Hurricanes on Friday night.

The ball-carrying power of Patrick Tuipulotu has been noted by the All Black selectors who will almost certainly name the Blues lock in their wider training squad on Monday.

A perfect try played a big part in deciding an imperfect game.

Huntly has a uniquely Waikato way of welcoming visitors to Chiefs Country. "The Official Cheers Leader of the Super Rugby Champions," proclaims a billboard for Waikato Draught, positioned on the northern outskirts of town.

The Rebels are a melting pot of nationalities and rarely click but when they do they have the ability to torch unsuspecting outfits who arrive at AAMI Park expecting to notch up a bonus-point win.

Another week, another new position for Tim Nanai-Williams.

Ma'a Nonu's impressive burst of form isn't just giving the Blues a belated, unexpected shot at making the Super Rugby playoffs.

There is no overstating the importance of this next match for the Blues.

No one needs to remind the Chiefs about the importance of this match.

As Ma'a Nonu continues to attract the attention of defenders everywhere, few of his teammates are better placed to take advantage than the irrepressible Charles Piutau, the only player to have appeared in every minute for the Blues this season.