First Take: Blues' lack of conviction has paralysed progress

Charles Piutau and the Blues are dejected following the round eight Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and the Blues. Photo / Getty Images.

Big man Frank Halai. Fair whack of speed too. Good enough to be chosen on the wing for the All Blacks as well.

Put him in the clear with one much smaller defender in his path and you'd expect him to give the try-line a real fright, gas him on the outside with a fend to deflect any attention.

However Halai seemed fraught with indecision, sidestepped on the spot and young Chiefs fullback Damian McKenzie pulled the wing to the Waikato Stadium turf.

It didn't look right but what has about the Blues. Their lack of conviction has paralysed this season's progress, their lack of basic rugby skill has as hurt them bigtime.

Pita Ahki slaughtered an overlap advantage with a blinkered run and others' indiscipline handicapped progress.

It got ridiculous when commentator Andrew Mehrtens started to champion their cause for a win to break their distress, about which time Dan Bowden kicked a penalty to put the Blues in front.

They got a leg up before kickoff in their quest for success when Sonny Bill Williams succumbed to injury and while the Blues were out of sorts for much of the match, they kept a finger touch in the arm-wrestle.

Only for so long. They cracked late as the heat went up even further, a slip in defence then a breakdown indiscretion. All over. Only a bonus point. Such joy to take to Eden Park for the first time next Friday.