The good news for New Zealand's spluttering Super 14 rugby outfits is that no team looks good enough to take the competition by the throat.
The fifth round of action saw more mixed New Zealand performances, with South Island hopefuls the Highlanders and Crusaders slipping further from contention.
The Chiefs were hardly impressive in snuffing out the Highlanders 14-10 in Queenstown yesterday while the Blues picked up a mandatory five points with their 46-12 humbling of the challenged Cheetahs in Albany on Friday.
In the process they climbed to fourth, one ahead of the Hurricanes who sat out a bye.
Also resting were the Bulls, who are now the only unbeaten side and will be surprised to find themselves still atop the table after the Sharks and New South Wales Waratahs both tasted defeat for the first time.
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Still hope for spluttering NZ Super 14 sides
Still hope for spluttering NZ Super 14 sides
