KEY POINTS:
The New South Wales Waratahs have axed their coach for existing on a nervy brand of unenthralling rugby, the same template the Blues have used to survive successive Super 14 close calls.
The irony in Ewen McKenzie's demise wasn't lost on Blues coach David Nucifora, who is secure despite hair-pulling wins over the Stormers and Bulls.
McKenzie, whose side hosts the Blues at Aussie Stadium in Sydney tomorrow night, boasts a respectable four-win two-loss record.
But that was not enough to prevent the NSW Rugby Union board releasing McKenzie at the end of the season - because the Waratahs are simply not entertaining enough.
Panache has also been in short supply at Eden Park over the past fortnight leaving Nucifora to concede the same charges could be levelled at his Blues side.
Grit and more than an ounce of luck was required to put away the Stormers with a last-ditch penalty and the Bulls with a Nick Evans' dropped goal.
Although Nucifora's job in not under threat, he shares the feeling of frustration at the Blues' inability to put the South Africans away.
Asked how the team could emerge from their rut, Nucifora offered a simple solution: "Scoring a few tries and performing well against the Waratahs would be a good start."
While the Blues style may be lacking, at least the substance is there.
"We're not happy with the way we've been playing but we've been managing to win," Nucifora said.
"I don't think we're a long way off hitting our straps, we're close to a very good performance."
All Blacks and Blues hooker Keven Mealamu agreed.
"The positive thing is we've come out the other side of a couple of narrow squeaks with the points.
"Maybe a couple of years ago we might not be in the same situation. I think we're showing a bit more resilience as a team but we need to hold on to the ball for a little bit longer.
"We're a team that always has a go, I won't fault us for that but if we get the passes to stick a bit more we'll put more points on the board."
The Blues hoped that transition begins on Saturday night against opponents sure to be conflicted by the demise of their mentor of five years.
"They'll be very motivated," Mealamu said.
"There'll be a few guys not too happy about it. They'll play with a lot more emotion this week.
"It's a tough business you know," Mealamu mused when considering the cause of McKenzie's downfall.
"It should be about results."
Meanwhile, after facing all five South African franchises in relatively quick succession, Mealamu said his side were looking forward to the different challenges the Australian and home-grown sides posed for the remainder of the regular season.
"You feel it a lot more (physically) after the game," Mealamu said of the South African opposition.
"The games are quite direct though it sort of makes it easier because you're preparing for similar sides.
"Now from a strategy point of view, we lose the physical side but there's a big step up in the speed of the game. The Aussie sides are usually quite accurate as well so it doesn't get any easier."
While Australian forward packs, and particularly the front rows, are often disregarded by the rugby public, Mealamu warned any pack boasting Wycliffe Palu, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom and Dan Vickerman demanded respect.
"It's pretty much a Wallabies scrum. It will be a good challenge for us."
- NZPA
