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As the only draft player in the Blues, utility back Michael Hobbs has worked extra hard to prove his worth.
The 20-year-old knows all about carrying the twin weights of expectation and resentment which accompany him as the son of former All Black skipper and Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs. He has grown used to the situation.
But the Super 14 is a different beast, an entirely new level which he had to adjust to away from his usual provincial surroundings.
Maybe that change helped, perhaps it was a boost. But it would also have been daunting to shift to the Blues as the only outsider in the squad.
Those changes kept coming for Hobbs yesterday when he was pushed into the action in the Newlands cauldron after just 35 minutes, when first five-eighths Tasesa Lavea retired with a strained hamstring.
This was no snapshot substitute role for Hobbs at the fag end of a match. This was serious.
"It was a shock when Ses came off, the nerves came up a bit," Hobbs admitted.
The Blues needed guidance as the Stormers had just hit the lead 8-5 and were controlling possession by a wide margin as the visitors battled to get some foothold on the match.
An hour later Hobbs and his teammates could look with pride at the scoreboard which told of the Blues' 14-8 triumph. They had not made much gain in the possession and territory markers but three Paul Williams penalty successes, sensible tactics, a forceful scrum and true grit got the Blues home.
Hobbs kept his nerve and joined his colleagues in delivering one for "Gus", the seasoned flanker Justin Collins who was completing his 100th game of Super rugby.
"The game could have gone either way," coach Pat Lam agreed, "but the one thing that does not change is attitude."
The Blues delivered that in quantity as they had to defend for prolonged periods in this match.
They were helped by the curious lack of adventure from the Stormers for a large chunk of the game, tactics which helped the Blues in their commitment to the tackle and the breakdown. The Blues were able to heap pressure on their rivals.
"We're really pleased to do it for Gus Collins who's a special man in our team," Lam said.
"The way the boys defended and put their bodies on the line was a tribute to Gus. They really dug deep."
It was some turnaround from the 59-26 thumping the week before at Pretoria and a result which has given the Blues 10 points from the roadtrip itinerary to start this season's campaign.
Hobbs' ability to cope with the pressure will also give Lam more selection fodder as he and his staff contemplate their tactics for round four against the undefeated Sharks this weekend at Eden Park.
"He was outstanding," Lam said of Hobbs, his third-rated pivot. "He's a great kid, he's a fast learner and he's fitted into 10 very well.
"He's learnt a lot off Tasesa and Jimmy [Gopperth] and every time he's come on has made an impact. He's really pushing, and that is pleasing from a young fella."
The Blues could dish out plaudits to any of their crew. The acclaim could be directed at the trio of new fathers - Jerome Kaino, Taniela Moa and Joe Rokocoko - who all muscled up, the scrum and defensive lines which were superb (except for one questionable glitch), Williams' goalkicking or the midfield tackling from Jamie Helleur and Anthony Tuitavake backed up by their damaging counterattacks.
Captain Keven Mealamu drove the Blues on and dragged his tight five with him while Collins and Josh Blackie bagged tackles all match and Isaia Toeava organised the back of the field.
Before they left the Blues were talking about several wins being a must-haul from the roadtrip if they were to make a serious challenge this year. Job done, the challenges get even tougher with the longhaul flight home and little rest before meeting the Sharks on Saturday.
