Ahead of this weekend's Super Rugby semi-final clash between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs, we take a look at some of the key battles, including Ardie Savea's tussle with Sam Cane for the All Blacks No 7 jersey.
Sam Cane v Ardie Savea
There will be a back row battle of seismic proportions as the Hurricanes' Ardie Savea clashes with the Chiefs' Sam Cane at 8.15 on Saturday morning, live on Sky Sports 1.
In recent times, Savea has ramped up the pressure on Cane in his quest for the All Blacks' No 7 jersey with a string of strong performances, with many in New Zealand calling for Cane to make way for the 22-year-old.
The Chiefs were without Cane for half of their quarter-final showdown with the Stormers after a head-knock forced the flanker from the field at the break, but in the time he features, Cane has already contributed seven tackles and a turnover before his enforced exit.
Cane has made the most tackles of any player in Super Rugby this season so far, putting in 195 hits on opposition ball carriers.
His opposite number Savea was a part of a Hurricanes side that dismantled the Sharks in spectacular fashion in their quarter-final last Saturday, providing 11 tackles, one turnover and 38 metres made with the ball.
The younger Savea has made the second-most tackles of any player this season (180), the most metres made by a Hurricanes forward (766m) while also having the equal-most try assists by a forward with five.
On the international stage the battle continues. Cane started all three test victories against Wales in the summer Tests, Savea making his mark from off the bench, particularly in the second test when he raced 40 metres to score the All Blacks' final try.
Aaron Cruden v Beauden Barrett
Aaron Cruden may have been the man that started in the number 10 shirt in New Zealand's series against Wales but it was his competitor Beauden Barrett that was stealing the show at its conclusion.
After a neck injury forced Cruden from the field after just 20 minutes into the second test, Barrett stepped into the fray and played some of the best rugby of his career, leaving All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen with a sizeable selection headache ahead of the Rugby Championship.
The fly-half rivals go head-to-head on Saturday morning in the all-Kiwi Super Rugby clash, with both keen to show they can put in commanding performances in a high-pressure environment.
Barrett is Super Rugby's leading points scorer (193) and has made the most try assists for his side with six, and in recent weeks has provided a series of masterclass displays to guide the Hurricanes to this stage of the tournament.
For Cruden, the match provides the opportunity to re-instate himself as the leading fly-half in New Zealand, reinforcing his quality in the minds of the selectors.
Damian McKenzie v James Marshall
Damian McKenzie was the star of the show as the Chiefs put on an attacking masterclass against the Stormers running in eight tries.
The full-back was peerless with the boot, missing just one attempt, and crossed for his 10th try of the season, only Israel Folau has scored more this campaign.
The 21-year-old has been a ever-present force at the back for the Waikato-based side this year, and is the only Chiefs squad member to have played every minute of 2016.
McKenzie has made 1,464 metres this season, ranking him the third most successful metre-maker in Super Rugby 2016.
He faces James Marshall, a try scorer in last weekend's 41-0 victory over the Sharks. The full-back made 48 metres in 12 carries against the South Africans, making five tackles at the back in a game where his side exercised their dominance throughout.
Just like McKenzie, when given space at the back Marshall poses a dangerous threat. The 27-year-old carried more than any other Hurricanes player in their quarter-final with 22 runs; the Chiefs will be aware of the danger of allowing him the space to counter-attack.