By WYNNE GRAY Waratahs v Blues
If the sporting event of the Auckland week was the Fight for Life promotion, then the Blues have entered a Contest for Credibility in their Super 12 match against the Waratahs tonight.
The series is only a third completed for the Blues, and their 50 per cent win-loss record is better than half the field's.
However, for a number of reasons, this journey to Sydney will be crucial to the rest of their programme.
There is no room for anything but improvement after the shabby loss to the Chiefs.
The coaches have stated it, the players have talked about it. Progress is the only acceptable outcome.
It may not bring victory, but there has to be clear signs of development, otherwise all the talk, all the attitude delivered in the lead-up to this game will be seen once more as hot air.
After the slide at Rotorua, the remedial sessions have included special skills sessions for the Blues, gut-busting training sessions to judge their unity, extra video analysis and increased player input into the shortcomings.
Coach Frank Oliver warned of the fallout and clipped a quartet from his Rotorua starting XV - Craig Dowd, Xavier Rush, Steve Devine and Justin Wilson have been replaced by Nick White, Craig Newby, Mark Robinson and Joeli Vidiri.
If the new crew cannot do the business, then the downward spiral of doubt will gain momentum and the strategic core of Oliver, John Kirwan and Sean Fitzpatrick will be under increased pressure.
They have thrown everything at this game and need to see a result, or at least signs of an advance.
Stagnation and the home games against the Sharks and Cats, then a trip to South Africa before a tough home finish against the Brumbies and Hurricanes will look far more daunting.
Even though they are coming off a bye, the Blues have to believe they have a chance against a young Waratahs side who have been beaten twice in South Africa and should be tired after their journey back from the Republic.
The Blues have never lost to the Waratahs in the Super 12, but that piece of history is looking shaky on the basis of their last outing and the 2001 statistics, which hugely favour home victories.
Oliver demurs. He has found more bite in his squad, more spirit and quality in their training.
"They are sick of taking the rap for the crap of two weeks ago," he said.
The Blues may be tired of references to Rotorua, but they have to show they can rectify some of their mediocre play this season.
A particular case is Vidiri. At one stage the leading tryscorer in Super 12 history, Vidiri's spluttering approach made negligible impact on the coaching staff this year and was rated fourth in the wings.
Injuries and form means he gets his chance tonight against the tiny, but elusive, Brendan Williams.
Vidiri has a 40kg advantage, but that dominance will evaporate unless he gets some quality possession from his insides and concentrates on his skills to benefit in that match-up.
It is the same for the rest of the Blues. This is a hang-tough night for them all, otherwise the dramas of the past few years will begin to resurface.
New Zealand's Super 12 squads
2001 Super 12 schedule/results
Much at stake for players and officials in Sydney
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