There is no escaping the highlight of week 7 of the Super 14 – Friday night's all-Kiwi matchup at the Cake Tim between the Hurricanes and Crusaders.

That should be a cracking encounter with the Crusaders putting their unbeaten record on the line against a Canes side coming off the bye and a confidence-boosting win in Canberra. There's always an edge when these two teams meet, and that should be no different this time round with plenty at stake once again.

There's another New Zealand "derby" in Hamilton in the early part of the Saturday night double-header with the Chiefs hosting the winless Highlanders, while the Blues entertain the Bulls at 7.35pm in what should be a second straight home victory foir David Nucifora's men.

Here then is your Super 14 rundown for round 7:

HURRICANES
In the news: Ma'a Nonu says he doesn't want the focus on him this week, with teamwork the key to beating the Crusaders on Friday night.
Physio's table: None.
The good: The bye week will have given the Canes time to reflect and review at length why they have yet to hit their stride. Without the distraction of a regular match week, they may have ironed out some of the chinks.
The bad: The bye week came at a time when the Canes were finally starting to show signs of getting things right.

CRUSADERS
In the news: Hooker Corey Flynn becomes an Earth Hour ambassador, pledging to turn the lights off at his house on Saturday between 8-9pm. That will be about 24 hours after playing under massive power- wasting lights at Westpac Stadium.
Physio's table: Campbell Johnstone (finger, out for the season), Stephen Brett (shoulder, six weeks)
The good: The Crusaders will have developed an even deeper belief in their systems after repelling a Waratahs team that did nothing wrong, but still lost the match 34-7. It's the third time this season the Crusaders have come from behind to win.
The bad: The Waratahs, as the Force did in round four, exposed some holes in the Crusaders defence. They lacked the firepower to turn periods of dominance into points. The Hurricanes don't.

BLUES
In the news: Ben Atiga becomes an olden-day hero, kicking a penalty to win a match. In an era where tries have become cool, does that make him a rugby nerd? I enjoyed the goal kick. Am I a nerd?
Physio's table: Isa Nacewa (knee, aiming to return for Brumbies match on April 12).
The good: Isaia Toeava's effort at first-five. For a guy who doesn't exactly talk people's ears off, he controlled things pretty well, showing the Blues can win without Nick Evans and Isa Nacewa. Having Daniel Braid back at openside flanker is also a boost.
The bad: David Nucifora's reaction in the coach's box showed how close to the edge the Blues have suddenly crept. For a team so talented, it should not have stumbled so badly in the past three weeks.

CHIEFS
In the news: Coach Ian Foster tells the Sunday News he's unconcerned by media suggestions that Wales coach Warren Gatland should have been the coach.
Physio's table: Jono Gibbes (knee 3-4 weeks), Richard Kahui (ankle, day to day), Sitiveni Sivivatu (ankle, day to day), Sosene Anesi (ankle, day to day)
The good: Halfback Brendon Leonard directed traffic superbly against the Bulls, thanks to some dominance up front due largely to props Ben Castle and Simms Davidson.
The bad: The Chiefs still lack composure, a kicker, a coach, a game plan, a . . .

HIGHLANDERS
In the news: Coach Glenn Moore says his team has too much pride to give up, despite its run of narrow losses ending its playoff hopes early. It is said with a grimace.
Physio's table: The entire team has reported dented confidence and been referred to the team psychiatrist.
The good: It may sound condescending, but the Highlanders really aren't that bad. They have a great front row, good loose forwards, a solid halfback and a class finisher in Fetu'u Vainikolo. Yeah, I know, no first-five.
The bad: Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!

AUSSIE WATCH
In the news: "Maybe they will [stay unbeaten], maybe they'll prove me wrong. But certainly if we were to come here tomorrow and play them again I wouldn't have any fear about playing them," Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh becomes giddy with delusion after another fruitless trip to Christchurch. Brumbies boss Andrew Fagan calls for a six- team playoff format in a public show of faith in the current team's chances of making the top four. Force coach John Mitchell urges the Wallabies to stop ignoring Perth-based players and pick centre Ryan Cross (Robbie's the head coach now, John).

Pick of the bunch: The Brumbies haven't been the most convincing team, but have unearthed some real talent in the past six weeks. They will return from the bye week with Stirling Mortlock and Adam Ashley- Cooper back on deck for a tilt at the playoffs, or the top six at least.

SOUTH AFRICA WATCH
In the news: Bakkies Botha cuts his cheek against the Chiefs and bleeds, dispelling the popular belief he was a robot created in a large factory deep in the heart of the high veldt. Bulls No 8 Pierre Spies breaths a sigh of relief, literally, as he prepares to return after eight months out due to a clot in his lung. South African media ridicule new Springboks coach Peter De Villiers' pre- season prediction that three teams from the republic will make the Super 14 playoffs. Victor Matfield, who plays for Toulon in France, confirms his availability for the Springboks.

Pick of the bunch: The Cheetahs lost in Canberra, but only after their halfback, Falie Oelschig, was sinbinned for foul language (is that really worth 10 minutes on the sidelines?) by referee Steve Walsh. The men from Bloemfontein may have puke orange jerseys, but they look attractive when they run the ball.