Finally it looks like there might be a couple of halfbacks in New Zealand who actually play like...well, like halfbacks.
Aaron Smith and Tawera Kerr-Barlow were the show stealers last weekend - both men offering compelling performances based on different skill-sets.
Smith had the look of a young Graeme Bachop against the Crusaders, with a touch of George Gregan thrown in. Those bullet passes were the difference - flat, direct passes that invited his team to run into space - that was the key to the Highlanders' performance.
Kerr-Barlow, physically had his socks down and his hair a touch woolly. Metaphorically he was the polar opposite - electric when he ran and full of good ideas. He damaged the Blues with his willingness to probe and move quickly and frankly he destroyed Alby Mathewson and made Piri Weepu look like the laboured force he currently is.
It has been a while since this country had genuinely exciting talent in the No 9 jersey.