The Blues have a perfect record to maintain against the Hurricanes in Wellington tonight.
They won the inaugural Super 12 match in Palmerston North in 1996 and the Hurricanes have been on the receiving end since.
Their worst defeat was a 60-7 drubbing in Wellington two years ago, while the closest they
have come to winning was a 45-42 loss at Eden Park in 1997.
Such a record could become a millstone for a team, but veteran first five-eighths David Holwell insisted that was not the case for the Hurricanes.
"Every year is a different year. It's a different Blues team and a different Hurricanes team, so it's not something we dwell on," he said yesterday.
"We just see playing them as a challenge."
The challenge seems to be reciprocal as Blues skipper Xavier Rush suggested they were nervous about which Hurricanes team would turn up tonight.
"This match is a must win for us - and for them. It's a game we really have to front up for, but the Hurricanes have shown in fits and starts that they, when they're on their game, can be a very good side.
"When you look at the two teams there are match-ups across the park and I'm expecting plenty of intensity."
All Black No 8 Rodney So'oialo has been rushed back into the Hurricanes, but Tana Umaga's hamstring injury has ruled him out, with Tane Tuipulotu set to start at second five-eighths in an unchanged backline.
The pack has been rejigged, with Jerry Collins moving to the blindside and Luke Andrews replacing Ross Kennedy at lock in a move clearly aimed at raising the pack's mobility.
So'oialo returns after he missed the four South African games with a foot injury suffered in the opening match against the Chiefs.
* Hurricanes vs Blues, Westpac Stadium, tonight 7.35
* Visit nzherald.co.nz throughout the weekend for Super 12 updates.
2004 Super 12 draw, results and points table
New Zealand squads and information
Australian squads
South African squads
