As it happened: Blues v Sharks

George Moala of the Blues. Photo / Getty

All the action as the Blues fell to the Sharks in a try fest at Eden Park.

No-one is more frustrated than Tana Umaga.

Just when you start to think the Blues may have turned a corner, they sleepwalk their way through the first half in Cape Town, gifting the Stormers victory, and end up back at square one.

We've been here so many times with this team. Umaga's frequent sighs say as much.

Four matches into the season, one win on the board, and even with 12 rounds to play, it already feels like desperate times as the struggling Sharks arrive at Eden Park tonight.

The Blues had two weeks to stew on their Stormers loss. After the bye, Umaga threw his men into the Bronco fitness test - a series of gut-busting shuttles - to send a message and set a reminder of expectations.

Umaga reacted further by making seven changes to his starting team this week. Some are injury-enforced, with Sonny Bill Williams (fractured wrist, six to eight weeks) and lock Scott Scrafton (ACL, season-ending) big losses. All Blacks wing Matt Duffie and prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi have also been given one of two mandated rest weeks.

Others, though, are form decisions.

Stephen Perofeta's anticipated promotion at No 10 brings real promise, and Rieko Ioane's shift further in to second five-eighth to cover Williams' absence is a surprise move.

But it is the likes of Otago halfback Jonathan Ruru, Northland lock Josh Goodhue and North Harbour prop Mike Tamoaieta, somewhat of a cult figure, who could spark the Blues.

These players, awaiting their first starts, appreciate what it means to play at this level.