Control the pill, ease Blues' headache

The Blues have an acute sense of empathy for those luckless Titanic passengers, for they also know what it feels like to catch sight of an iceberg unseasonably early.

For the third consecutive year, the Blues have stumbled into their fifth-week bye knowing that their campaign will sink just as dramatically as the Titanic unless all available hands get on deck this Saturday against the Brumbies.

In their opening four games they've amassed a measly four points and have shown only fleeting signs they can put in a collective performance that is equal to the sum of their individual cast.

But those flashes have kept despair and panic at bay. The Blues, for all their fumbling and bumbling so far, are maybe not that far from mounting a sustained charge up the ladder.

For 60 minutes in Christchurch they were the equal of the Crusaders. The week before they dogged out a gutsy win in Brisbane - their first victory in Queensland since Super rugby began.

It must be apparent, even to those lonely, deranged souls who feel the need to clog the airwaves with their rambling theories, that the Blues are not short of heart.

Nor do they appear to be a side blighted by simmering discontent as they were last year.

The Blues' problems are far more mundane and much easier to fix than fractious personal relationships.

Their work at set piece lies at the core of their failings. A backline, even one as gifted as the Blues possess, can only indulge in the spectacular when fed quality ball.

And, so far, the Blues have too regularly been indecisive and clumsy at the back of the scrum, while their lineout has been prone to disintegrating when put under pressure.

The Blues should have one of the most efficient and aggressive lineouts in the competition - Keven Mealamu has a steady arm, Ali Williams is a world-class jumper, while Greg Rawlinson, Troy Flavell and Angus Macdonald are quality alternatives.

Somehow, though, ability has turned to liability and the touchline is far from a safe haven.

Opposition jumpers are too often getting in front of Williams and the whole pre-throw routine looks a bit over-choreographed.

Blues coach David Nucifora accepts the rot has to stop. "We just haven't had consistency in our set piece and have been erratic at both scrum and lineout.

"We are not securing enough quality possession and a lot of our ball is being spoiled. That's partly a calling issue and partly a technique issue. We are working hard to address those issues and need to be a bit smarter and not get rattled during the game when the pressure comes on," Nucifora said.

"I'm getting frustrated at the way the scrummaging has been handled by the referees. I think the management this season is a blight on the game and has amplified some of the problems we have had at the back of the scrum."

That lack of control up front has put preferred first-five Tasesa Lavea under pressure. The former NRL rookie of the year has been asked to perform on meagre, often substandard rations and as a consequence has been harried into mistakes.

It hasn't helped that Steve Devine has struggled with injury, while alternative halfback John Senio is still very much finding his feet at this level.

While Nucifora holds his inside pairing in the highest regard, he said the last few weeks have dented Lavea's confidence. "The quality of ball we provide does affect how Tasesa plays the game and I think he would agree that his confidence has been affected."

Nucifora's comments could be taken as a hint that Luke McAlister, assuming he recovers from his fractured jaw in time, will be thrown the No 10 shirt against the Brumbies and asked to spark some magic with his North Harbour chums Rua Tipoki and Anthony Tuitavake.

McAlister, though, will not be given licence to start throwing the ball around randomly. Nucifora wants structure to underpin the flair of his backline and is wary of his side being too easy to read.

Auckland took the NPC last season by playing open and instinctive rugby. The Blues are looking to do something similar but in the faster, better organised world of Super 14, there needs to be a bit more graft and conservatism to open up the space.

Having already lost three games, the Blues can probably only afford to drop just one more and with the Waratahs in Sydney lurking after the Brumbies, a win this Saturday at Eden Park is crucial.

Yet, despite being in a backs-to-the-wall situation, there is still reason for optimism. The Blues have always been a confidence team and it might just take them one 80-minute performance to turn their season around.

There is an opportunity to build real momentum with consecutive home games against the Bulls, Stormers and Force.

As North Harbour coach Allan Pollock said: "Every team is going to pick up losses. Last year we saw the Highlanders get off to a fast start but they couldn't sustain it through to the playoffs. It doesn't matter when the losses occur.

"The Blues have a number of new players and a new coaching staff. I think everyone is going through a process of self-discovery and learning where each other's strengths and weaknesses are on and off the field.

"There is now a bit more pressure to find the right answers but I think that they will get there and turn things around."

Nucifora spent his first few months at the helm putting in place new structures and systems to make sure his side can find their way through any crisis.

Edward J Smith, captain of the Titanic, lacked such foresight which is why he and Nucifora seem unlikely to share the same fate.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY