Jordan Hyland of the Blues looks on after the defeat to the Jaguares. Photo / Photosport
Jordan Hyland of the Blues looks on after the defeat to the Jaguares. Photo / Photosport
Can you remember the last time the Blues tasted Super Rugby success at Eden Park? If your answer is no, you're not alone - It's been a while; 352 days to be precise. But how long can this horror run go on for?
Last night, the Blues looked on track to break that drought. Up 13-5 at halftime over the Jaguares - a side that had never beaten a New Zealand team - surely it was time, but a second-half comeback saw the Jaguares take a 20-13 victory.
It's a new low for the Blues, who haven't won in anywhere in New Zealand since their 22-16 win over the British and Irish Lions in June.
As for their last Super Rugby victory at Eden Park? A 50-32 win over the Cheetahs on Friday, 12 May, 2017, with a team featuring Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, and Ihaia West.
Since then, the Blues have played the Chiefs twice, Sharks, Highlanders and Jaguares at home, drawing the first then losing four straight.
George Moala charges forward during the round 12 Super Rugby match between the Blues and the Cheetahs at Eden Park on May 12, 2017. Photo / Getty Images
The Blues did, however, play a 'home game' at Apia Park, Samoa in June last year, against the Reds, which they won 34-29.
But, the fortress that was once Eden Park is no longer.
Since their last win there in Round 12 last year, they have been losing by an average of 10.8 points per game.
In contrast, last year's Super Rugby champions, the Crusaders, have won all of their eight home games at AMI Stadium since Round 12, 2017, by an average of 15.25 points.
That makes a margin of 26.05 points between the Blues and Crusaders when it comes to home games, or in other words around four converted tries.
Emiliano Boffelli of the Jaguares competes for a high ball against Matt Duffie of the Blues. Photo / Photosport
The Blues have recorded three wins, one draw and nine losses since that last victory at Eden Park.
They downed the Reds at Apia Park 34-29, the Lions 38-35 in South Africa, and the Sunwolves 24-10 in Tokyo.
Their draw came two weeks after their last home win against the Chiefs on Friday 26 May, the score was 16-all.
Their nine losses, however, have been dealt from the hands of the Sunwolves, Highlanders (twice), Chiefs (twice), Stormers, Sharks, and Jaguares.
Leonardo Senatore is tackled by Kara Pryro and Jordan Hyland of the Blues. Photo / Getty Images
This season will rival the worst in the franchise's history - in 2015, when they finished second to last under coach Sir John Kirwan.
The Blues only scraped together three wins that year, losing the other 13 games to finish one point in front of the wooden-spoon winning Western Force.
Coach Tana Umaga took the helm in 2016 and managed to finish 11th overall. His team continued to get better, finishing ninth overall in 2017.
But, the wheels have appeared to have fallen off this year - from nine games the Blues have only won two and lost the other seven.
