You'd hope two things come out of this woebegone match - that referee Steve Walsh is censured for manhandling Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith and that the Canes do not head any further down a path which could see them hailed as 'the new Blues'.

The Blues region is the country's most populous but has a poor recent record of producing test players.

It really is all change at the Blues as they wait nervously to see if No 8 Peter Saili can come good to play the Bulls a week today.

My phone ran hot with crowing texts and calls after the Blues' victory over the Crusaders. I guess I deserved it as, when I was put on the spot on the radio, I had to go with the Crusaders.

The Blues passed a heavyweight exam tonight as they soaked up all the competition benchmark Crusaders could throw at them then surged to an exhilarating victory.

Talk of a new, up-tempo, style of play at the Crusaders from coach Todd Blackadder begs the question - are we going to see wholesale changes at Eden Park tonight from the red and blacks? The short answer is: No.

Offseason spent with plenty of neck work, heavy squats and working on technique means loosehead is ready and able to fill Woodcock's big boots for Blues.

After 10 years of disappointment, Blues fans finally have reason to believe the glory days may be returning.

Just one proper round into the Super 15 and after a small sample size of performances, Fantasy players who struggled last week have to make a decision - stick to their initial instincts or panic and pick the in-form players.

Gregor Paul ranks the Super 15 teams ahead of the competition's third round.

Mystery hovers over the Blues and Crusaders as they prepare for their Super 15 duel tomorrow at Eden Park.

It will take a lot more than a romp against an insipid Hurricanes outfit before this punter gets remotely excited about the Blues.