Rugby: Stadium boss unfazed by blackout

It was embarrassment and frustration rather than concern about future events that was gripping North Harbour Stadium boss Brendon O'Connor last night.

After four minutes, the ground was plunged into partial darkness when a power cut ripped through the Oteha Valley. With no emergency generator, proceedings were delayed for 45 minutes while the Vector engineers plugged the floodlights at the northern end into an alternative electricity source.

By the time the players came back out - the Blues minus Chris Lowrey, who suffered a serious knee injury before the stoppage - the sense of occasion had gone and there was a taint to the evening.

However, O'Connor said there was no reason to start fretting about the stadium's ability to host its three World Cup games in 2011.

He said there are no plans to introduce a back-up generator, with the preference instead being to have Vector engineers on site to deal with any problems.

Neither side seemed too bothered by the floodlight failure.

"It was the same for both sides," was Blues captain Keven Mealamu's assessment, "and it was not something we could control."

The Blues were far more concerned with the elements they could control but didn't. Coach Lam is a cheerful, positive bloke who doesn't appear to be fazed by much. Under the surface, though, he will have been simmering. Ultimately he carries the can, yet the Blues' single greatest failing was their attitude.

If players don't bring ferocity to their defensive work; if they don't commit mentally to being all they can be and more, then there is not much the coach can do from his impotent position in the stands.

The Blues have six days to turn things around before they face a rampant Hurricanes side in Wellington. Bonus points won't be enough for the Blues then. It will be all or nothing.