The Auckland Blues lost just once last year while winning the Super 12 title. This year, the defending champions have just one win in four matches.
Last year, only the Bulls showed any class among the South African franchises by finishing sixth and just out of the playoffs. The Stormers, Sharks and Cats placed ninth, 11th and 12th.
This year, it's a different story as parity appears to be the early season byword in the southern hemisphere championship.
The Queensland Reds upset the Blues 20-3 while the Bulls and Stormers ended the 3-0 unbeaten streaks of two Australian teams.
The Bulls beat the ACT Brumbies 32-21 while the Stormers moved into second place with a 27-23 win over the New South Wales Waratahs.
The results left New South Wales in first place with 16 points, the Stormers a point behind in second and the Brumbies in third with 14. The Bulls moved into fourth with 13.
Six points separate the top six teams. Only the Cats continue to have their problems, remaining the only winless team after four rounds and sitting in last place.
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