The season is only two games old but it looks like another troubled year for the Blues.
On the positive side, one bright spot in defeat against the Stormers was a black spot last year.
Ihaia West looks assured in the No 10 jersey and his goal kicking is going well. Those who have seen him in the ITM Cup know that he has a sparkling running game, even though we haven't seen it yet in the Super Rugby competition.
Blues coach John Kirwan couldn't work out who his first five eighths should be last year, but he has one now. But the tough part for West is that he's a young player who will have to be the calm in a storm.
The Blues still don't look like a team that knows who they are. Stupidity - step up punch-happy lock Hayden Triggs - cost them dearly against the Stormers. They'll find a way to lose somehow.
And they are already behind the eight ball in the New Zealand conference, because the unfancied Hurricanes have made such a great start on the road in South Africa. It means the pressure has already been turned up on a new coaching unit at the Blues.
The Blues can't just rely on the Eden Park factor to get them enough points to be title challengers. It's already tough to see anything other than yet another disappointing season for the team from New Zealand's largest population area.
