Buckle in for a frantic emotionally-charged final two rounds of the vastly improved Super 14.
Five teams - the Hurricanes, Crusaders, Reds, Brumbies and Waratahs - will scrap for two of the converted top four positions as the brutal Bulls, first, and slick Stormers, second, further justify their respective favoritism.
Forget the hospitalised Chiefs and the incoherent Blues, the Hurricanes and Crusaders hold the faint hopes of New Zealand representation.
But firstly, give the Highlanders a break.
What a gusty and determined effort in the cold driving Invercargill rain last weekend.
Highlanders hooker Jason Rutledge - the 'jelly bean on steroids' - epitomised the Southeners' inspired effort on his home pitch.
Many pundits have questioned the sustainability of New Zealand's most southern franchise, which has the smallest talent pool and most draft players.
But after they pushed the Hurricanes in Dunedin and out-passioned the Waratahs, their numerous critics should swallow their tongues for now.
On a less positive note, the Crusaders look an overrated team with a bland, boring game plan. New Zealand's most successful Super Rugby franchise is, after dropping its last two games, now in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
The travel to Loftus Versfeld to face the Bulls at altitude this week will be a somber one after a helluva hiding from the Stormers (42-14).
Their last-round match against the Brumbies in Christchurch, along with the Stormers v Bulls and Waratahs v Hurricanes shape as mouth-watering clashes that will certainly decide final seedings.
Red-and-black fans will be hoping Daniel Carter finds his groove to lead a typically late Crusader rally.
In Wellington, doctors have been working strenuously long hours coping with excessively high blood pressures in the capital.
The Hurricanes have had a poor season, which should have been over but for a Callum Bruce missed penalty-goal. Yet somehow their 'expect the unexpected' catch-cry has resurfaced with three consecutive wins.
They will fancy their chances at home of toppling the Reds who have caught the blues away from Brisbane.
Finally, while the Super 14 is a drastically improved product - openside flankers are right to gripe after their most valuable art was pinched without consultation.
Yes breakdowns flow better, kicking has diminished and attacking rugby is back with vengeance, but 7s whose forte was snaffling ball such as former expert Josh Kronfeld, George Smith and the frustrated Richie McCaw have seen that asset become extremely difficult.
No longer will we see players make classic one-on-one tackles, spring to their feet and steal the pill. Instead - beacuse of the change in interpretations - these tactically precise performers are forced to roll away and trek round to the back of a ruck.
By the time they achieve this, the team in possession get numbers over the ball, nullifying turnover chances.
It's now the second arriving player who looks for a steal.
Rugby's competitive masterpiece at the tackle area has been thrown on the scrap heap in the search for a better spectacle, mainly for commercial purposes.
Professionalism is in its 11th year and money will continue to drive the wheels of change