KEY POINTS:
Was that Dr David Nucifora scouring the hospital recovery wards throughout Auckland last year as he looked to clarify his Blues selections for the second edition of the Super 14?
If he didn't quite make it into the official white coat and stethoscope brigade, Nucifora's knowledge of sports
medicine would have increased dramatically after his first season as coach of the once-super power.
In what is an extremely tough competition, there will always be breakages and serious injuries in the high-speed, flesh-on-flesh, high-impact collision sport.
Whatever you thought of some of the initial selections, the team patterns and their performances, the Blues were dealt some rough calls with injury last season.
Before Nucifora revealed last year's squad, he had to scrub Jerome Kaino, as the loose forward underwent a shoulder reconstruction, while hooker Derren Witcombe was also in recovery mode from neck surgery.
Then, before a ball was kicked in anger, halfback David Gibson had to withdraw from the squad because of continuing complications from his neck surgery.
It was not an auspicious start but by halfway in the competition things were looking a hell of a lot worse for the Blues and Nucifora. They had lost four of their opening six games and three more players for the campaign.
Seasoned loose forward Justin Collins had ruptured his Achilles tendon, senior halfback Steve Devine had succumbed to persistent head knocks and Angus Macdonald needed a knee reconstruction.
In between those dramas, Luke McAlister had cracked his jaw, Daniel Braid had an unco-operative hamstring and Ben Atiga suffered some serious facial and dental damage during a weight-training accident in the gym.
There was little respite as Troy Flavell departed with a torn chest muscle and Rua Tipoki punched his way into a 16-week ban.
If Nucifora had mentioned "huge learning curve", and he probably did, it would have been the understatement of his 2006 season. He had been part of the Blues the year before as technical adviser with new back coach Joe Schmidt.
They were career coaches, successful sporting mentors, but with reputations created elsewhere - Schmidt in the Manawatu and Bay of Plenty and Nucifora even further afield in Australia. They knew their stuff but questions remained about whether they really understood the Blues beast, its political machinations, provincial bickering, talent pool, infighting and style needed to weld the franchise together. There was talent everywhere but grafting that into a team was something only Graham Henry had achieved since Super footy began in 1996.
Given a coaching reprieve this season, the scrutiny on Nucifora and Schmidt will focus on the adjustments they have made in their selections, team style and preparation.
They have made a bold start, choosing Isa Nacewa at first five-eighths for tonight's opener at Eden Park against the champion Crusaders. Boom or bust, gut instinct, adroit strategy - coach's reputations are made on these sort of decisions.
Medical checks after the provincial championship sanctioned the return of Gibson, Witcombe, Collins, Devine, Macdonald and Flavell from their surgeries, with Flavell also promoted to captain because last year's leader Keven Mealamu is in the quartet on All Black reconditioning duty.
Flavell is a serious rugby talent, one Henry recognised when he encouraged him to return from a stint in Japan. He has grasped the leadership role and, in the mould of Wayne Shelford, will demand extensively of his pack. Flavell was impressive last year before his shoulder damage and, if he stays fit, and avoids judicial controversy he will push hard for a World Cup place.
"Even with everything going on we underachieved last year and we have to put that right," Flavell growls.
He and his side will not get a tougher introduction than the Crusaders. The visitors have been more affected by All Black obligations and are, by reputation, slow starters in this competition, although they are the best-drilled squad and have the expertise of coach Robbie Deans.
The Blues can still pick an entire pack with All Black experience and another four internationals in the backline. However the hub of the side at 8/9/10 will be the key.
That area never gelled last year because of erratic setpiece work, the loss of both original halfbacks and the mixed production from Tasesa Lavea at first five-eighths.
Nucifora and Schmidt have dismantled that axis and put their initial faith in the new combination of Kaino, Gibson and Nacewa to orchestrate the 2007 campaign.
But do they have the nous to control the flow and rhythm of the side?
Will Nacewa's lack of a long kicking game allow opponents to sit up tight on the Blues knowing they will generally run possession? How well can the Blues vary the pace and tactics in games?
There is a decent look about the tight five, which needs to churn out the games in the opening half of the competition, but questions about the unrelenting impact from the loosies.
Individual ability oozes through the backline but do they have the mentality for the big stage, can they bring a unified approach and variety?
RECONDITIONING 22
Blues: Joe Rokocoko, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu.
Chiefs: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mils Muliaina, Byron Kelleher.
Hurricanes: Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Andrew Hore.
Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Aaron Mauger, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Reuben Thorne, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville.
Highlanders: Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver.
