With two Kiwi teams resting up, focus this weekend in Super Rugby will be on whether the Blues and Highlanders can right the ship, and whether the Crusaders can keep on keeping on. The fact they're all up against non-New Zealand opposition should help.

Meanwhile all sorts has been happening in the boardrooms, with the mooted All Blacks-England test aborted, Sanzaar making decisions, but not announcements, on Super Rugby's future makeup and the dire state of the Wellington Sevens revealed.

With all that whizzing round his head, here are rugby writer Marc Hinton's hot topics for the week:

Is George Moala a legitimate All Blacks contender to face the Lions?

Yes, if he continues to light it up like he did for the Blues over the first 50 minutes of their 33-24 defeat to the Crusaders. The key for Moala is consistency. Right now he's on the outside looking in of the midfield pecking order, with the likes of Ryan Crotty, Anton Lienert-Brown, Malakai Fekitoa and, probably, Sonny Bill Williams all ahead of him. Throw in Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor and Rieko Ioane and it might just be Hansen's most competitive position.

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But Moala's line-breaking ability in Christchurch was impressive. More of that on a regular basis and he might enter calculations. The big No 12 is a go-forward merchant of the highest order. But what Steve Hansen will be looking closely at are complementary skills like distribution, defence and decision-making. Imminent return of Williams will be pivotal. Will Tana Umaga pair him with Moala or Rieko Ioane? And is Moala a better 12 or 13?

What will the Highlanders-Brumbies game in Canberra on Saturday night tell us?

Two important things. First, whether there's any life in this Highlanders campaign. You have to think a victory in Canberra is crucial for the southerners if they're to save their season. Time is still well and truly on their side, but the fuse has to be lit. And, second, whether there is truth in the theory that Australian rugby is in the toilet. If the bottom team in the Kiwi conference rolls one of Oz's pre-eminent sides on their home patch you have to figure it's a resounding yes. Someone flush the dunny!

Should we be sad the All Blacks-England November test has died on the vine?

Yes and no. Yes because, let's face it, a matchup between the two best teams on the planet who haven't played each other since 2014 would have been enticing, to say the least. Not to mention it might have settled the debate about whose 18-test win streak was better. Also the verbal joust between Steve Hansen and Eddie Jones would have been almost as interesting as the 80 minutes at Twickers.

But no because the fact it was going to come at the expense of a Barbarians fixture already pencilled in would have been inappropriate. Don't get me wrong: there's nothing compelling about a Baabaas game these days. They used to be awesome when they were the Lions by another name; but now they're just cobbled together piecemeal lineups of mostly old-stagers well past their best. But they got in first, negotiated the fixture and it would have been just wrong to take it from them.

Was Jordie Barrett's performance last Saturday night really that good?

It certainly seemed to be. Some of his touches were sublime. The behind the back pass, the pinpoint crosskick ... even more impressive was the sight of him steaming in to save tries with corner flag tackles dripping with commitment, timing and character. Look, the kid has clearly got it. But there won't be any rush with him at the highest level. Let him build experience and confidence at Super Rugby level first. And maybe figure out just where his best position might be. Still, the day is drawing closer when there will be three Barretts in an All Blacks match day 23.

Are the Crusaders legit contenders to end their nine-year title drought?

With that pack, they have to be. Especially now they've made a rip-roaring start and given themselves a shot at the finals home advantage they will likely need to secure a first title since 2008. Their slow starts have to be addressed. The Houdini act is as fun as all heck, but they need to give themselves a little more margin for error at the back end. And you have to think they need more cut and thrust in the backline. That might be Razor Robertson's biggest challenge. But there's no arguing with a 4-0 start, with Kieran Read still yet to lace 'em up. With forwards like they've got, that's some mighty foundations they have in place.

Should the sevens move from Welly, and do we care?

Yes, they should move. And, no, we shouldn't care. Wellington has clearly had its day, and the people have voted with their feet. All good things come to an end, and thanks to the Fun Police's icy grip, this party is now well and truly over. Just where it moves to needs thought, but options are limited. Auckland has the population, but might Queenstown have more appeal? Christchurch deserves a big event, but sadly doesn't have a venue yet to do justice to it. But this is minor league stuff in rugby's big scheme. It's hard not to think that discerning Kiwi fans have figured that out. Take away the party, and all you really have is a bunch of guys not good enough to play professional XVs.