With Super Rugby Pacific playoffs now set, Newshub's Ollie Ritchie believes the tabletopping Hurricanes and Blues will feel secure in their form, as the business end of the season begins.
The Wellingtonians were atop the table, when their Auckland-based rivals conceded a last-gasp try against the Chiefs that denied them the bonus point they needed to carry regular season honours.
Regardless, both teams have home advantage at least to the semi-finals, with the road to the title passing through the capital.
"They look really assured of themselves," said Ritchie of the Hurricanes. "They look complete, they know the way they want to play and they know the way they want to attack teams.
"The Hurricanes will be feeling pretty good at the moment and they may also get [All Blacks prop] Tyrel Lomax back, which would be a huge boost to that Hurricanes pack."
With fallen champions Crusaders licking their wounds outside the playoffs, Ritchie believes their review will not make a scapegoat of coach Rob Penney.
"Yes, there was an explanation they would come back to the pack a bit, when they lose personnel like Scott Robertson, Richie Mo'unga and Sam Whitelock - that was always expected - but they have been absolutely spat out the back of the pack in a nightmare season for the Crusaders.
"They're unlikely to sack Rob Penney - that's not really the Crusaders way. They'll get around him, they'll look at those last couple of games in particular and know there's enough there for this team to be successful next season, especially when they get some of their injured All Blacks back."
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