New Zealand's five Super Rugby teams will officially launch their season in Auckland this morning. All will be aware of how difficult it is going to be to win the hearts and minds of a public gearing up for the Cricket World Cup and none is likely to feel the pinch like the Blues.
The launch will be held at College Rifles Rugby Club in association with the Auckland Archery Club. How some among the Blues hierarchy must privately wish for something sharp to burst cricket's bubble.
They can't argue about the summer sport having its place in the spotlight for February and March, but there is no doubt being forced to hold the opening game against their nearest rivals the Chiefs at North Harbour on Saturday, February 14, rather than Eden Park, will hurt the franchise's bottom line.
The Blues players would prefer it to be held at their fortress, of that there can be little doubt either. Last season they lost only one match there, and that was against the Chiefs in the final round. At the Albany ground now known as QBE Stadium their record last year was played one, lost one - a disappointing 29-23 defeat to a Sharks team which had plenty of support among the crowd.
It is understood that 7000 tickets have been sold for the Chiefs game - which will be held on the same day as New Zealand's opening World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Christchurch. The franchise will be hoping for a crowd of 18,000-20,000. Their first home game last season, the blockbuster against the Crusaders in round two which they won 35-24, attracted a crowd of more than 26,000. They have a very long way to go to get anywhere near that.
