The past weekend featured four of the five New Zealand sides in action - the Hurricanes had a bye - and all four came out on top against foreign opposition.
The latest victories bring a success rate of more than 80% by New Zealand sides against teams from other countries.
In the 16 games so far this season which have taken place between New Zealand sides and teams from Australia, South Africa and Argentina, New Zealand sides have won 13 of them.
The sides from Australia and South Africa are struggling due to a lack of player depth, poor form and injuries.
But the way the competition is set up - not everyone plays everyone, and teams with fewer competition points can finish ahead of teams with more points on the ladder - could lead to New Zealand sides coming up short when the playoff positions are decided.
The top eight teams qualify for the playoffs with the first four - the winners of the four conferences - hosting the first week of playoffs.
Already the ladder is looking slightly out of kilter with regards to winning and losing.
With their 48-23 win over the Brumbies in Canberra, the Chiefs have gone to the top of the ladder on 24 points.
The next three teams on the ladder - the conference leaders - are the Stormers, Brumbies and Sharks.
The Highlanders sit fifth, on 22 points, yet the team directly above them, the Sharks, actually has only 16 points.
The Sharks have played one fewer game, having the bye this week, but are about to head to New Zealand for three games.
The top eight qualify for the playoffs and it appears unlikely four New Zealand sides will qualify for the playoffs.
One will be top of the New Zealand conference but whether three of them will get into the four team wildcard spots is debatable.
That makes the games between New Zealand sides vital.
The Highlanders have played only two New Zealand sides so far for a win and a loss, so still have four games left against their countrymen.
The southern franchise will finish its run of matches against Australian sides with a game against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night.
The Reds will be coming off a bye and have won only the one game this season.
The Highlanders have a bye after the match in Brisbane so may be tempted to rest some weary players this Saturday.
First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga may not be risked after missing last Friday night's victory over the Force with a groin strain.
Captain and fullback Ben Smith left the field with a concussion and he too could be a doubtful starter.
Prop Brendon Edmonds was injuried in the opening minutes with a serious-looking knee injury which the Highlanders said yesterday was a ligament strain.
He is due to have it scanned early this week but is unlikely to be seen in the foreseeable future.
Loose forward Elliot Dixon had a cut to his head and may also be in doubt this week.
In other games over the weekend, the Crusaders beat the Lions 43-37 in Johannesburg, the Blues downed the Jaguares 24-16 at North Harbour, the Kings edged the Sunwolves 33-28 in Port Elizabeth and the Bulls defeated the Cheetahs 23-18 in Pretoria.
In Sydney last night, the Rebels upset the Waratahs 21-17.
