And initial reaction from players and from supporters seems to have been positive.

Crusaders 34 Brumbies 3
The Crusaders got their season off to the best possible start, picking up a bonus point victory at home in trying conditions. Christchurch received its average February rainfall in just two days leading up to the match, so despite there being little rain during the game itself, the pitch was waterlogged, making expansive play difficult. Both teams fell into the trap of kicking aimlessly, but it was the Crusaders who created the most chances. No.8 Mose Tuiali'i crossed for tries in both halves and a returning Brad Thorn and Dan Carter scored a try each in the final 10 minutes to secure the bonus point win. The Brumbies could only muster two scoring chances, both on the counter-attack, and both were snuffed out by some desperate Crusaders' defence, leaving them to settle for a solitary Julian Huxley penalty.

Reds 22 Highlanders 16
The Reds got their season off to a winning start in a rather unconvincing fashion. They dominated the opening 20 minutes, jumping out to a 12-0 lead, but went off the boil, allowing the visitors back into the game. The Highlanders controlled much of the second half and an upset was in the making right up until the final minute when Clinton Schifcofske landed a penalty goal to secure the win. Two highly dubious Television Match Official decisions sealed the Highlanders' fate, particularly on Schifcofske's first-half try, where replays showed the ball was not grounded.

Sharks 17 Force 10
In a rather scrappy affair, the Sharks were able to put away the visitors, even without French star Frederick Michalak who did not recover for a calf injury in time. The home side led 7-3 at the break, thanks to a try to Jacques Bote, but neither side really stamped their authority on the first 40 minutes. The second half was much of the same, but a late Sharks' mistake which led to a try for Luke Holmes produced an exciting finish for the fans in Durban. With the home side up by just four points, the Force attacked relentlessly only to see their chance at victory snuffed out by a 57-metre penalty goal from Francois Steyn.

Blues 32 Chiefs 14
The only other team to claim a maximum five points in the opening round was the Blues, in a convincing home victory against their southern neighbours. Neither side dominated the opening exchanges which featured a number of poor passes and handling errors. The visitors went into the break up by 11-8 but wilted in the second half as the Blues superior fitness shone through, with the Chiefs missing a total of 33 tackles in the game. Captain Troy Flavell led his Blues from the front, picking up a try and running himself to a standstill by the end of the game. New signing Nick Evans showed his class, distributing ball to the top players such as Isa Nacewa and Joe Rokocoko around him and picking up a haul of 11 points from the boot. 

Waratahs 20 Hurricanes 3
In an entertaining game played at a frenetic pace, the Waratahs picked up their first win of the season over an ineffective Hurricanes side. The Hurricanes created the better of the chances but were unable to capitalise on their dominance, while the Waratahs were ruthless on attack, turning their chances into points. Fullback Lachlan Turner picked up two tries for the home side, while captain Phil Waugh claimed a number of turnovers at the breakdown. In fact turnovers were common as both sets of loose forwards were able to isolate opponents at the breakdown in a game which resembled a sevens match at times. 

Stormers 9 Bulls 16
The defending champions showed their character in the first outing, coming back from a 9-0 deficit and keeping their line intact. The Stormers had the better of the early exchanges and scored three penalties off the boot of Peter Grant. The Bulls answered late in the first half with a try by Bryan Habana, but Habana injured his shoulder in the dive for the line and left the field in obvious pain. The second half was a tight affair, as the Bulls absorbed wave after wave of Sharks' attacks and eventually got the win on the back of an excellent kicking display by Derek Hougaard, who slotted three second-half penalties. 

Cheetahs 22 Lions 23
The best contest of the round came from the final game as the Lions snuck home thanks to two pressure goal kicks from replacement Earl Rose. The lead changed several time throughout the game as both sides played attacking football, treating fans to five tries and a nail biting finish. Lions player Doppies La Grange scored a try in the final quarter of the match, setting up team-mate Rose for the conversion before he nailed a penalty goal in the dying minutes to give his side a deserved away victory.