KEY POINTS:
The Blues showed their defensive qualities in a last-gasp win over the ACT Brumbies in rugby's Super 14 last weekend.
Now coach David Nucifora wants them to get their attack functioning when they come up against the Hurricanes in Wellington tomorrow night.
The Blues are one of just
two unbeaten teams after the opening two rounds, trailing the top-of-the-table Sharks by points difference.
They maintained their 100 percent record with their 17-15 result in the wet in Canberra, where they kept their line intact and restricted the home side to kicking penalty goals.
"Some people have said we were lucky to win, but I don't buy that," Nucifora said.
"To me, it was an outstanding defensive display against a team who, on their home ground, have probably been the best attacking team in the competition over a long time. We really gave them no ball to play with."
But Nucifora was less happy with the Blues' attack, although he conceded that the difficult conditions were a factor.
He cited a lack of rhythm and continuity as areas for improvement against the Hurricanes.
Nucifora has made one change to his starting 15, with Isaia Toeava returning to centre after a week out with injury.
The move means Anthony Tuitavake shifts out to the wing at the expense of Rudi Wulf, who drops out of the 22.
Nucifora said it was a tough call in deciding between Tuitavake and Wulf, who had performed well.
"We just felt this combination is a good one for us at the moment," he said.
"Certainly there's a lot of speed from No 10 right out to the wings."
Meanwhile, Nucifora was clearly not unhappy at facing opponents missing the likes of loose forwards Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins and Chris Masoe, and halfback Piri Weepu to the All Blacks' conditioning programme.
"It's a nice change," he quipped about the depleted Hurricanes, who got themselves on the board last weekend by pipping the Chiefs 39-32.
While Nucifora expected the Hurricanes' replacements to step up, he described the quartet as "the engine of their team".
With the Blues' ability to get out of the blocks quickly this season, the spotlight on Nucifora and assistant Joe Schmidt has soften somewhat.
Nucifora had a difficult first campaign in charge last year, when the Blues finished a disappointing eighth after having been rated as possible title contenders.
He said it was a case, as at any organisation, of needing time to lay the groundwork.
"You're not going to come in anywhere and change everything in a short period of time," he said.
"It takes time to change habits and make habits, and the players now are taking a lot more responsibility with their preparation.
"It showed in no better circumstance that the other night when things were tight and they had the ability to hold it together under pressure."
- NZPA
