Andrew Johnsen: Are the Blues any better in 2018?

Blues star Rieko Ioane has been a bright spot for his side, who sit with a one win and three loss record in the 2018 Super Rugby season. Photo / Photosport.nz

Can the Blues finally deliver a Super Rugby playoff spot after six seasons of obscurity? The signs are positive but far from convincing.

Already in the young 2018 Super Rugby season we've seen some vast improvement from a trio of Super Rugby teams - the Rebels, the Bulls and the Blues.

The Rebels were somewhat brought back down to earth in a loss to the plucky Waratahs after three straight wins while the Bulls have been impressive without much of the results to back it up.

But it's the embattled Auckland franchise that intrigues the most.

The side has steadily improved under coach Tana Umaga and 2018 looked initially like the year they could end their playoff drought.

But after four matches they sit with a one win, three loss record and the usual questions start to come up about ticker, their clinical edge and whether they are good enough to play finals footy.

The Lions match, where they fought back from 18 points down to win a thriller 38-35 showed they have fight. And aesthetically they look far better this year.

But it's the tight losses to the Highlanders and the injury-savaged Chiefs that are of concern.

Both matches were decided by seven or less points. In each match they had every right to win the game and they couldn't get the job done.

The Chiefs loss would have been particularly galling for their fans. The Chiefs were missing 16 players, including the best player in world rugby in Brodie Retallick, and despite dominating the early stages and having an opportunity to win at the death, they couldn't do it.

The Stormers loss was more understandable after their heroics at Johannesburg the week before.

Umaga's men are already in need of a string of wins after this weekend's bye and with the Sharks, Chiefs and Sunwolves to play in the next few weeks, there's an opportunity for at least two wins.

The Chiefs match could ultimately define their season. A win could propel them towards a playoff berth. A loss would continue an unfortunate and worrying trend.

The Blues haven't beaten a New Zealand side since the opening round in 2016. That's 15 straight local derbies without taking home the four points.

However 10 of those matches have been decided by seven or less points.

Which begs a question. Do the Blues have the ability to close out tight matches?

It seems to be a no at this point though with the emergence of Stephen Perofeta and the surprising rise of Bryn Gatland it may change to a yes before 2018 is done and dusted.

They have all the talent on hand with All Blacks Sonny Bill Williams, Matt Duffie and the irresistible Rieko Ioane roaming in the back line.

Meanwhile Akira Ioane has been in career best form of the base of the scrum. An All Blacks debut is imminent if he continues this way.

It's clear that right now they need either calmer heads late in the match or more time to develop those skills.

But does Tana Umaga have that sort of leash in the top role? Who knows.