The Blues are definitely right back in the hunt in the New Zealand conference after a thumping 44-14 win over the out-of-sorts Reds at Eden Park on Friday night.
The bonus point win puts them level on points with the Chiefs and a point behind the Hurricanes on top of the conference although the Blues have played a game more than those two sides.
Nevertheless, after a run of poor results, this latest winning run is one that John Kirwan definitely welcomed - perhaps the Benji Marshall distraction was ruining the team who are now playing with some flair.
The return of Ma'a Nonu to the troublesome 2nd five position has been vital and he was key in setting up three of the Blues' tries. The Blues badly needed someone with his creativity and game breaking abilities in the midfield as they sought to sort out their first five problems.
The exciting Ihaia West capped his Super Rugby debut with a try off the bench, aided by a superb offload as he scampered off to score in the last minute. Could he be the panacea to the Blues' first five problems? Perhaps although it is still a bit too early to call him the one - the race between him and Simon Hickey will be interesting now that Chris Noakes is off to Europe at the end of the season.
As for the Reds, it is a surprise to see them right at the bottom of the Aussie conference even if it has been a highly competitive season for the Aussie and Kiwi conferences. While they are definitely missing coach Ewen McKenzie, the Reds still possess plenty of talent in the halves in Quade Cooper and Will Genia as well as plenty in the forwards and backs. There is definitely an air of transition in Queensland rugby this season.
Elsewhere, the Sharks bounced back from their shock home loss to the Highlanders with a 22-16 win over a competent Rebels side in Melbourne to kick off their Anzac tour. The Sharks remain number one in Super Rugby but the Crusaders are next up.
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