Chiefs match is crucial, says Blues' Payne

Tonight's match against the Chiefs is looming as a big game for Blues centre Jared Payne in more ways than one.
Payne said the Blues need to regain their winning ways after two losses on the trot but will have their work cut out for them against their neighbours, with both teams coming off the bye.
"It's an important game for us and it's going to have a big bearing on the next couple of weeks and where we sit on the table at the end of the season, so we're really looking forward to the challenge," he said.
The Taniwha skipper has been one of the star performers in the Blues' line-up this season but admits the last couple of matches have not gone as well - for him individually - as he would have liked.
"I'm looking forward to getting a few more touches during the game and trying to get my form back to where I want it to be, because it's not quite up there enough on attack at the moment," he said. Payne has yet to miss a game for the team and the long season has taken its toll.
"I'm starting to get a few bumps and bruises and things packing up on me and that's caused me to sit out a few trainings but you expect that after a long season - and it's the longest season I've ever played to date - so it's all new ground for me and hopefully I'll be able to manage it better in the weeks to come," he said.
"At least the week off came at a good time for some of us, it's been a big season and it's good to rest the body a bit, so hopefully that will be a positive."
The Blues still top the New Zealand Conference and after tonight's match have just two matches left against the Crusaders (away) and the Highlanders (home).
He is under no illusion that the Chiefs will come at them tonight with all guns blazing.
"Their season is done and dusted in terms of the playoffs but being able to knock off one of the top teams will be a good end to their season," he said
After growing up between Nelson and Tauranga, he went to Hamilton Boys' High School and knows many of the Chiefs well.
"It's going to be a big battle, we know they're going to bring a massive physical edge to the game so we're just going to have to front as well and hopefully dominate them physically," she said.
The major talking point of the Blues' team tonight is the benching of Stephen Brett and promotion of Luke McAllister into the starting line-up.
"Lukes's a good player and he's played pretty well for us there in the past, so hopefully he'll bring his own distinctive style to the game," Payne said.
The Northland is something of a rugby gypsy. The 25-year-old began his senior rugby career in the Waikato - representing the province in 2006 and 2007 and earning limited game time for the Chiefs in 2007.
However in 2008 he was picked up to play for the Crusaders and later signed for Northland for provincial rugby and became the team's captain in the following year. He was "gutted" when he heard the news that Bronson Murray has signed to play with the Bay of Plenty Steamers this season.
"But that's the way professional rugby is at the moment, you've got to look after your self at times," he said.
"He's going to be a big loss for us but I wish him all the best at the Bay."
2011 will be Payne's last season for the Taniwha for at least three years, after he leaves to play for Ulster at the end of the season.