If the Blues are to turn their season around; or Kirwan is to convince as the right man to lead them beyond this year - then they need to chalk up more than a solitary victory against the Lions.
Yes, the Blues didn't get a stroke of good fortune against the Cheetahs. Yes, they played well in the second half against the Chiefs and dug in bravely against the Stormers when they were reduced to 14 men.
They don't look to be that far off the pace. But the thing is, that's not enough any more to satisfy a fan base that has been patient and supportive. The hard luck stories have piled up. The close-but-no-cigar games have become too frequent. All the right things are said in defeat and yet there is not enough evidence of lessons having been learned.
The Blues under Kirwan have become a little like Mayor Len Brown's rail link. There's a man with a big vision promising the masses a better future if they can just dig deep into their pockets.
Aucklanders mostly want to believe in that vision but, like Brown, Kirwan is exhausting the faith. Trust is beginning to erode and the line in the sand moment has arrived: results are needed for that faith to be maintained.
A bit of luck, a few decisions going their way and who knows ... this young Blues side could suddenly believe in themselves and catch fire.
They are going to need to, otherwise the next report that says Keane is being tapped up might be built on fact.
