Talk of a new, up-tempo, style of play at the Crusaders from coach Todd Blackadder begs the question - are we going to see wholesale changes at Eden Park tomorrow night from the red and blacks? The short answer is: No.
Each hit of the tackle bag is bringing Richard Kahui closer to a long-awaited return, but the pain - both physical and mental - remains.
With two wins and maximum competition points, the Blues are quite rightly gathering headlines.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder is hopeful of a positive result for Zac Guildford as the All Blacks wing prepares to front an New Zealand Rugby Union misconduct hearing.
It wasn't effective against the Blues but Hurricanes' midfielder Tim Bateman is wary of the Crusaders' new attacking style which he says they have borrowed off provincial champions Canterbury.
Benched two weeks in a row by the Chiefs and with weight and discipline issues last year, have we already seen the best of Ben Tameifuna?
He is happy to have another string to his bow, but Gareth Anscombe isn't ready to give up on the No 10 jersey just yet.
Conrad Smith has given his Hurricanes team a big boost after being named in the side to play the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.
Conrad Smith's travel plans this week are still to be decided after the All Blacks centre failed a sideline concussion test in the Hurricanes' defeat by the Blues in Wellington.
One of the biggest changes in rugby as it continues to get to grips with professionalism is the way players move from one club or franchise to another.
Respect, says Craig Clarke, is the most important thing for the Chiefs this season.
Lydia Ko's coach Guy Wilson has revealed why the golfing prodigy stumbled in the final round of the Australian Open - and the depth of her disappointment at finishing third.
Khoder Nasser has hit back at claims from Francois Botha that the South African was offered a $150,000 bribe to throw the fight against Sonny Bill Williams, saying it was a "fantastic tale" and the boxer must by "flying high".
Zac Guildford could make a remarkable return to rugby with the Crusaders within the next couple of months.
No Zac Guildford and now, probably, no Cory Jane until the end of the year.
The Highlanders' new big three have arrived and with them new challenges for head coach Jamie Joseph.
Mike Hesson is safe as coach for now, but the test capitulations in South Africa could have far-reaching consequences for the make-up of New Zealand's future tours.
After the high, the low. Jack Bauer struggled to complete the final few months of the season for his new Garmin-Barracuda team after the London Olympics but considers his build-up for tomorrow's national road cycling championships as among his best yet.
Greg Jones' upset victory over sixth seed Jurgen Melzer at Stanley St has come at a cost - he now can't compete in the Australian Open.
The All Blacks' poor performances in the two "add-on" tests this year against Australia and England and a stronger financial position have prompted the New Zealand Rugby Union to consider playing fewer tests in 2013.
