Chiefs 24 Waratahs 31
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan
"We had some good phases and sets where we struggled to finish. There were a lot of areas which made it tough for us to build.
"The general consensus is that [Australian teams] they're a lot better. The demise of the Rebels and the distribution of those players to the other Super Rugby teams has given them increased depth and they're playing with confidence. They've got lots to play for this year with an awesome international calendar. You can see a hunger in them and that they've take a step forward."
On fullback Damian McKenzie's performance, McMillan said, "He's an experienced campaigner, and he'll be his own harshest critic. He's a rock star for us, and every player, the best ones in the world, has off nights. He'll reflect on that and be the first to admit it wasn't his best game.
"But there are not too many people in our team who will be able to put their hand up and say they had a good day at the office. We never put the spotlight on any individual."
Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson
"The Waratahs played the ball in hand and we had far more errors than them. Maybe it was a concentration thing."
On fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Jacobson said, "He's an athlete. I didn't come across him too much, except for when he beat me on the outside.
"He's always been electrick when he's got the ball in hand but the Waratahs are a full team outfit. There were a lot of standouts there. A lot of players stuck their hands up and he was one of them."
Blues 36 Moana Pasifika 17
Blues coach Vern Cotter
"We had a plan and stuck to it, which was pleasing. We didn't want to give them too much, and except for a couple of occasions, we kept that plan in place. Still, there are a lot of things we'd like to improve.
"At times, we showed our youth. We had some young players out there, which was a great experience for them. So, if you count the result and the fact these guys are getting experience and a win, it's good.
"They were better connected and there was purpose about what we were trying to do and there wasn't that frantic feel about the game that was more composed. That's progress."
First five-eighths, Beauden Barrett showed his unique skill set again.
"He's got a licence as Hoskins [Sotutu], as Reeks [Rieko Ioane] does, and there's a genuine plan out there, but when there's an opportunity, you have got to take it and those players see it.
"That little chip [of Barrett's] over and collect of the ball to score came at the right time. We missed a couple of opportunities close to the line and then nailed that one.
"We left a little ball out there, but overall, it was better if we're talking about building a game.
[Second five-eighths] AJ Lam's performance was really good. It was his 50th game, so it was a big celebration for him. He's growing as a player the whole time. He's a very hard man to put down, thick through the hips, powerful and fast. He's a great defender as well.
"It was a big game for [flanker] Dalton [Papalii]. He stepped up. It was a bit of a challenge for him up against Ardie Savea and Miracle Faiilagi. Those big boys stepped up and it is time to stand tall and take everybody with you."
Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga
"The Blues dictated terms out there today. They showed they were back to their game. We allowed them to get into the game, but we also felt some big calls made earlier in the game went against us, which allowed them to stay in that game and kept us pinned in our quarter.
"That's what we have to work with, and we've got to learn from that.
"We were out-muscled today. We had a plan, and they pressured us, and then we went away from that. We didn't get enough go-forward ball to get our game going.
"We have to trust in our plan even when times are tough and we're chasing a game. Previously, we've been able to get some go-forward, create tries from nothing and claw our way back. Against a side like the Blues, a power team similar to us, they're able to keep knocking us back, and we couldn't make any dents.
"It's trying to find a way around, rather than trying to run through them and trying to go around them, and keep turning them around."
Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea
"It's a testament to a Blues team that turned up and played how they wanted to. They starved us of the ball in the first half, and we couldn't get into our game.
"We didn't help ourselves with the accuracy around the breakdown and they capitalised on that. Rugby's a simple game. They pinned us in the corner, got into their game and we leaked points. We've got to be a way better than that."
Savea said he was thriving with Moana Pasifika and sees it as a blessing rather than pressure.
"Pressure is people that can't eat, and they're starving on the street. That's pressure in life.
"We're rugby players. We're blessed we've been gifted a talent to play rugby, and it's our job. And to be able to be a leader in this team, I find it a blessing to be able to not only grow myself but help others in my team. That's an extra bonus, but not pressure."
Highlanders 43 Fijian Drua 20
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph
"We started well and scored that try, which is fortunate. Sometimes it goes against you. We put some pressure on in that first half, got a lead, and went into halftime feeling we were building a performance.
"Coming back after halftime, the Drua came back, scored a try and got their tails up, and we were in a big match again.
"There were 10, perhaps 15, minutes where it got sticky. We got through that period. In past weeks, we haven't been able to win the arm wrestle, and then we were able to come on top. That's a reflection of learning to deal with the stress of trying too hard and sometimes giving penalties away, conceding cards, and losing tight games.
"It was nice to be on the other side."
Joseph said he was pleased that players injured for a long time returned so well.
"My assessment of all those players was high. They had awesome games, given the circumstances and pressure. They hadn't played a lot of footy; one has had a broken neck. Many circumstances show their integrity as men and rugby players.
"We play the best team of the competition, the Chiefs, next week and then the following week the Crusaders. It doesn't get any easier, but it does get exciting."
Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai
"We knew it was going to be tough. They have the flair and there was a lot of examination and energy coming into the game and it was a matter of 'how am I going to absorb it'. But I was so happy with how the leaders stood tall today."