KEY POINTS:
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE
It was a strange mix of conservative and erratic last year; the squad never quite settled on a compatible pattern. Their error rate was uncomfortably high and eighth was a poor finish.
David Nucifora remains a cautious coach who demands attention to the basics and that will be his dictum again this season, but you sense the handbrake may be released a little more on attack this year.
OFF-SEASON RECRUITING
Several like David Gibson, Derren Witcombe and Rudi Wulf have returned from injury, while All Blacks Isaia Toeava and Sam Tuitupou have been retrieved from other franchises to give the squad a complement of 19 internationals.
The biggest decision was to shed Tasesa Lavea at five-eighths and go with either Isa Nacewa, David Holwell or Luke McAlister. Only backup prop Sam Biddles is from outside the franchise. Test players litter the squad, but can they form a team?
BEST THING GOING FOR THEM
The ability to replace their four All Blacks on conditioning duty, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams and Joe Rokocoko, with a trio of former test players Witcombe, Saimone Taumoepeau, Greg Rawlinson and Anthony Tuitavake who has gone close.
New captain Troy Flavell will drive the side hard and if he stays intact should be a catalyst for improvement.
MAJOR FAILING LAST YEAR AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX IT
There was a frailty about the 8/9/10 axis of the Blues which never seemed to repair itself. Six wins and seven losses underscored that uncertainty. Has it been repaired? Gibson, Jerome Kaino, Holwell and Nacewa have come into the mix for those positions with Steve Devine and Nick Williams but whether they deliver more is one of the series perplexities. Indiscipline and anxiety showed a lack of mental strength and provoked average skills throughout the squad.
PROSPECTS
Who would know? The self-assurance which used to accompany this side has been blighted in the past three years but they do get to play both the Crusaders and Hurricanes when their senior All Blacks are away. Seven home games will be balanced by a tough road trip in South Africa and Perth to end the series.
