Wynne Gray: Blues need to step it up tonight if they want to be contenders

Last time the Blues returned from Sydney victorious was back in 2003 when they won the tournament. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Once upon a time the Blues won in Sydney.

It must sound like a fairytale for latter-day followers of the troubled side and is certainly a distant memory for those who have watched the Blues throughout their history.

The last time the Blues boarded a return flight from Sydney with a victory smile alongside their boarding pass was back in 2003 when they won the tournament.

Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock are the sole Blues survivors from that match where the skills and pace of the backline helped them surge to a 31-18 triumph.

In Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko, they had too much wallop for the Tahs.

Since that triumph, five visits to Sydney have brought five defeats with only watery optimism they can break that pattern tonight.

The Blues may not have been far away on the scoreboard this season although their soggy attack has been a continuing flaw. Three tries to the backline in five games is a meagre tally by anyone's measure.

The worry beads have been worn down during the Blues' bye week as they unpicked their ideas, rearranged their backline and put planned leave for some All Blacks on hold. Every fit player had to travel to Sydney to try to nick a win against the defending champs.

Somehow, anyhow. Perhaps they'll talk up the omens around the introduction of Daniel Bowden at five-eighths, just as the Blues were forced into the late use of Orene Ai'i in 2003 when Carlos Spencer damaged his knee.

This will be very physical skirmish with the Tahs feeling the warmth of their work against the Brumbies last round and pumped up by lively coach Michael Cheika to build on that crunch.

The backline scheming will come from head-coach-in-waiting Daryl Gibson and if the Tahs had a fit Adam Ashley-Cooper to centre their backline their favouritism might have widened. All the buzz will be about the Tahs and their move back into the winter limelight.

Meanwhile the Blues have to ask who is going to wear the sensible cape of Grant Elliott, the counter-punch of Corey Anderson and the nerve of Daniel Vettori tonight when they need clutch plays.

Have the Blues got the nerve, have they got the skill or are they going to resemble beaten World Cup cricket quarter-finalists Sri Lanka, West Indies, Pakistan and Bangladesh who wilted under the extra pressure from tougher opponents.

If the Blues believe in themselves and really think they can still contend the playoffs, they need to make a big move tonight.