It was supposed to be an easy weekend of Super Rugby tipping, an opening round in which punters and experts alike could register a solid score. But things could not have been any different as the world's premier provincial competition produced no less than four stunning upsets, and six away victories in total, in an incredible opening to its 20th anniversary season.

Read on for a wrap of round one, and watch video of the weekend's best action.

Crusaders 10-20 Melbourne Rebels

A topsy-turvy weekend of action began on Friday night as the Rebels headed to Christchurch looking for their first win on foreign soil. Notoriously slow-starters, the Crusaders again looked to be a side short of a run as they spilled plenty of ball while much of the early action was dominated by the whistle of referee Nick Bryant. The Rebels, too, had their troubles adjusting to the match but it was clear the visitors' pack could sense the seven-time champions were off their game. Lock Lopeti Timani finished off the fine work of his forward cohort with a try from close range before Ben Funnell answered for the hosts. The second-half followed a similar script with Sean McMahon seeing yellow - Nic Stirzaker and Mitchell Drummond had been sin-binned in the first half - before Rebels No.9 Stirzaker scooped on a loose ball to score the only try of the stanza, which was enough to secure the visitors a history-making win.

Brumbies 47-3 Queensland Reds

After a tight affair in Christchurch, Friday's night second match between the Brumbies and Reds could not have been more different. The Brumbies blew away their opponents from the outset in what was the most commanding performance of the weekend. David Pocock made a solid return at flanker while his forward team-mates dominated their Reds counterparts; the Queensland pack also felt the wrath of referee Angus Gardner in a 17-8 penalty count. The Brumbies' backs were in fine touch, Tevita Kuridrani in particular - the outside-centre picking up where he left off on the Wallabies' spring tour. Reds coach Richard Graham has plenty to ponder ahead of round two, not least of which will be whether to give Karmichael Hunt another start at No.10. James Horwill, meanwhile, will be desperate to atone for his two yellow-card offences; the second of which brought about a red.

Lions 8-21 Hurricanes

Although they were tipped to come away with the win in South Africa, the Hurricanes had to fight hard to topple the Lions at altitude. Possession-starved for much of the match, the Hurricanes were relentless in defence while the Lions squandered several try-scoring chances with their error-ridden display. Lions No.10 Marnitz Boshoff had an uncharacteristically poor night with the boot, missing four of his five shots on a night where kicking proved crucial. The Hurricanes pounced on the few attacking opportunities that came their way with half-back TJ Perenara crossing just before the break to set-up an 11-8 advantage. The Lions continued to dominate possession in the second half but it would be the Hurricanes who added to the scoreboard; a couple of penalties and a Matt Proctor try cementing the 13-point win.

Blues 18-Chiefs 23

The Blues may have been playing at home but there was little doubt as to who the fans had come to see when they welcomed the Chiefs to QBE Stadium in Albany. That was, of course, Sonny Bill Williams, and the cross-code superstar certainly didn't disappoint. The Chiefs No.12 had a hand in both his side's tries, the second of which was a brilliant solo effort that saw him catch a box-kick, spin and offload to a flying Bryce Heem. Williams was ably supported by rookie fly-half Damian McKenzie, the 19-year-old showing a diminutive frame can be overcome with skill and guile. Trailing 20-9 at the break, the Blues stayed in touch via the boot of Ihaia West. But the hosts showed little with ball in hand throughout the 80 minutes, ensuring coach Sir John Kirwan will be in the sights of Aucklanders from the outset.

Sharks 29-35 Cheetahs

Expected to struggle following the departure of a couple of key players, the Cheetahs showed they'll be anything but pushovers in a rousing win over a sloppy Sharks side. The hosts were first to put points on the board, with fly-half Pat Lambie converting a penalty, but it was the Cheetahs who looked the more dangerous as they crossed through Jean Cook. In a see-sawing match that saw both sides hold the lead, the Cheetahs proved to be worthy winners wit Joe Pietersen leading a strong backline and contributing 13-points with his boot, while the forward pack held strong against the star-studded Sharks eight. The hosts came close to snatching the win in the closing minutes with Marcel Coetzee believing he had scored in the corner, but replays showed he'd lost the ball.

Bulls 17-29 Stormers

In another shock result in South Africa, the Stormers overpowered a wayward Bulls side to record a rare win in Pretoria. Although the Bulls opened their account early with a Deon Stegmann try, it was the Stormers who took control of the match with two quick converted tries through Duane Vermeulen and Dillyn Leyds, and a penalty, within the opening 30 minutes. Heading into the break 17-5 up, the Stormers started slowly in the second stanza; several early penalties allowing the Bulls to climb their way back within seven points. But the hosts struggled to use their possession, conceding 15 turnovers, as the Stormers maintained their lead to start 2015 in style.

NSW Waratahs 13-25 Western Force

A brutal round of Super Rugby tipping was accentuated late on Sunday afternoon as the Force registered their first ever week-one win, and claimed the prized scalp of defending champions, NSW Waratahs. It was clear Michael Cheika's side were off their game and the underdogs from the west took full advantage as they bludgeoned the Tahs up front, and grabbed every opportunity that came their way. The four-try win was richly deserved, and showed the Australian conference will be far more than a battle between the big guns in the eastern states. Michael Foley had a number of excellent players but it was the exploits of his back-row, and veteran halfback Alby Mathewson, who led the way in the jaw-dropping upset. Waratahs coach Cheika later admitted he'd got his side's pre-season "wrong" - a revelation that will surely throw up questions about his ability to manage both the Waratahs and Wallabies' jobs.

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