Despite the effects of a volcanic eruption in Chile, SANZAR have worked around the clock to ensure the tournament's decisive final round of crunch clashes can go ahead.
The Highlanders needed a charter flight on Thursday to get to Auckland, while the Western Force left for Melbourne on the same day ahead of their match against the Rebels.
Super 15 rugby live
Force rugby live
Three of the four teams playing on Friday are out of play-off contention, with only the Blues all but guaranteed a place in the top six.
Blues v Highlanders
Eden Park, Auckland
The Blues will have a real battle on their hands at Eden Park, as Pat Lam's troops bid to end a four-game losing streak and cement a play-off spot when they face the Highlanders in Auckland.
It's been a long, slippery slide the Blues will want to get off in a hurry ever since losing their place at the top of the standings. Luckily for them, the worst they can finish is sixth - the cut-off for a place in next week's knock-out stages - if results go their way .
But there is also the chance, albeit a slim one, that the Blues could drop out of the top six if they lose and other results go against them.
They're currently fourth following a dip in results over the last month, with the Blues' most recent defeat coming against the Crusaders in last weekend's battle for top spot in the NZ Conference.
The visiting Highlanders have nothing to lose but pride having played themselves out of play-offs reckoning after three successive losses.
They currently sit eighth with an eight-win, seven-loss record, though a month ago they were right on track for a top six spot and still would be had they not dropped home matches against the Lions and Force.
The Highlanders needed a charter flight on Thursday to get to Auckland, while the Western Force left for Melbourne on the same day ahead of their match against the Rebels.
Super 15 rugby live
Force rugby live
Three of the four teams playing on Friday are out of play-off contention, with only the Blues all but guaranteed a place in the top six.
Blues v Highlanders
Eden Park, Auckland
The Blues will have a real battle on their hands at Eden Park, as Pat Lam's troops bid to end a four-game losing streak and cement a play-off spot when they face the Highlanders in Auckland.
It's been a long, slippery slide the Blues will want to get off in a hurry ever since losing their place at the top of the standings. Luckily for them, the worst they can finish is sixth - the cut-off for a place in next week's knock-out stages - if results go their way .
But there is also the chance, albeit a slim one, that the Blues could drop out of the top six if they lose and other results go against them.
They're currently fourth following a dip in results over the last month, with the Blues' most recent defeat coming against the Crusaders in last weekend's battle for top spot in the NZ Conference.
The visiting Highlanders have nothing to lose but pride having played themselves out of play-offs reckoning after three successive losses.
They currently sit eighth with an eight-win, seven-loss record, though a month ago they were right on track for a top six spot and still would be had they not dropped home matches against the Lions and Force.
