the Blues have been lolling in mediocrity in the 12 years since they last won the Super rugby title, writes Wynne Gray.

John Kirwan's "bring it on" defiance in the aftermath of the Blues' depressing loss to the Lions was slightly more measured yesterday.

After writing a couple of weeks ago that I was really pleased with the quality and intensity early in this Super Rugby competition, along came this latest weekend.

Kirwan's comments after the woeful display against the underwhelming Lions reveal one reason why his Blues regime is in terminal turmoil, writes Chris Rattue.

John Kirwan has received the backing of Blues chief executive Michael Redman following the team's defeat to the Lions, which has left them in last place in the competition.

After watching his team blow a 10-3 lead to the bottom-placed team in the competition for their fourth defeat in four games in 2015 Kirwan said: "I like moments like this. Men need to stand up, so bring it on."

A match the Blues should have won, needed to desperately to win for themselves and coach John Kirwan, was spilled, fumbled and thrown away.

Editorial: John Kirwan is clearly on borrowed time.

The worrying thing for Kirwan is when reports broke that the Blues were tapping up a replacement, no one contested the sense of such a decision, writes Gregor Paul.

The Blues have hit back at a report they are sounding out replacements for coach John Kirwan.

A victory over the Lions will open the release valve a little, but there will be little respite because the Blues' assignments to follow are extremely tough ones.

John Kirwan's shaky tenure at the Blues is in serious trouble, and the latest loss to the Cheetahs might be the beginning of the end for the coach, writes Chris Rattue.

John Kirwan says his outnumbered Blues team ran themselves to exhaustion in making up for Hayden Triggs' red card in the loss to the Stormers.

Jerome Kaino reaches a rare and well merited milestone when the Blues face the Cheetahs this weekend.

Aweek after the concession of two "soft" tries did for the Blues in their Super Rugby opening round loss to the Chiefs.

It's become like that in Blues territory. There is an acceptance they will find a way to lose as the slide in production and results persists, Wynne Gray writes.

A red card to Blues lock Hayden Triggs in the first half meant this match was as good as won by the home side at halftime.

The rise and rise of Malakai Fekitoa has coincided with a corresponding fall in the midfield stocks at the Blues, his former franchise for whom he didn't play a competition game.