Crusaders great Aaron Mauger senses a simmering Super Rugby rivalry will come to the boil in Hamilton.
For so long a lopsided relationship, Crusaders-Chiefs matches now determine the top dog in the New Zealand game.
Assistant coach Mauger predicts a classic showdown when his side confront the defending champions in Saturday's semifinal.
He's just hoping there's no repeat of the same game one year and one day earlier, when Chiefs playmakers Aaron Cruden and Sonny Bill Williams conjured a 20-17 win on the back of a rambunctious forward effort.
Many regard that game as the unofficial final - the Chiefs romped to their maiden title with a thumping of the Sharks in Hamilton a week later.
"Chiefs against Crusaders is a fair summation of where New Zealand provincial and franchise rugby is at the moment," Mauger told NZ Newswire.
"That's the most intense rivalry, between these two teams. I think we're all looking forward to getting into it."
Since winning the first of seven titles in 1998, the Crusaders haven't been challenged for top-level consistency, having now reached the playoffs 15 times in 18 seasons.
The Blues (three titles) in Super Rugby's early years, the ACT Brumbies (two) through the early-2000s and the Bulls (three) late last decade have lodged short-term threats.
Now the Chiefs sit on the verge of title No.2, having qualified top to secure the all-important home advantage through the playoffs.
Former All Blacks second five-eighth Mauger says the Crusaders' 43-15 hammering of the Chiefs in Christchurch three weeks ago meant little.
He labels the Chiefs as favourites on the basis of their fortitude at home and their world class coaching team headed by Dave Rennie and supported by the local knowledge of Tom Coventry and Andrew Strawbridge.
Mauger has the most respect for the fourth member of their coaching group, former All Blacks mentor Wayne Smith.
"My dealings with him as a player, he's probably the best coach technically and tactically that I've ever come across. There's so much knowledge there," he said.
"Together they've moulded a strong group with good leaders who are obviously really connected.
"They won't be an easy team to break down."
Meanwhile Mauger attributes subtle tweaks for the Crusaders' renewed form since the three-week June break.
He says the team's attacking option-taking has improved, coinciding with a more muscular defensive attitude.
First five-eighth Dan Carter's sizzling form was symptomatic of his state of mind, Mauger says.
"He's really enjoying himself, which is important.
"When you've got Dan, Kieran Read, Andy Ellis and others who have played a lot of footy over the last 10 years - the challenge for us is to keep them stimulated.
"It's come together in the last few weeks."
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