Good in the sense they have given the impression the players know what's expected of them and how to deliver; good in that the gameplans have been simple but effective. The big men have been asked to run straight and hard and be physical, the decision-makers have been encouraged to use their instincts but not to push too hard - to stay within the structure if there is any weight of doubt.
Jerome Kaino has looked fit and clearly aggressive - overly so against the Chiefs when he was red-carded - Steven Luatua is back in top condition with a point to prove and Akira Ioane could do just about anything. George Moala and Rene Ranger are going to lack subtlety and trickery but will compensate with incredible raw power and defensive brutality.
Then there is the hulking form of Patrick Tuipulotu, who could beat a few packs up on his own but won't need to do it on his own because Charlie Faumuina will help him.
None of this provides a reason to get carried away, but it at least raises spirits that the Blues have the basis of something solid. The key, as usual, will be how well Tana Umaga and his coaching team can bring the players together and persuade them to be patient, focused and disciplined not just from week-to-week, but for the duration of each game they play.
The evidence so far has been encouraging - not so much the results, but in the way Umaga has been clear, concise and consistent in his communication. That puts him way ahead of his predecessors: the riddling Pat Lam and changeable John Kirwan.
It's too much of a risk for anyone to throw all of their heart at the Blues at this point. It can all change in a flash with this crew but, for once, genuine reasons to believe outweigh those to not.
