Chiefs ready for better Blues side
Northern rivalry back to full intensity
In times when the Blues couldn't get a break for themselves in Super Rugby, they were regular fodder for southern neighbours the Chiefs.
But in the last year, things have changed. The Blues have become a more potent force and the Chiefs were well aware of the threat they represent in their Super Rugby Aotearoa game in Hamilton on Saturday at 7.05 pm.
Former All Blacks first five-eighths Aaron Cruden acknowledged that on Tuesday.
"Even before the Covid lockdown, they [the Blues] were tracking well. They had a massive crowd and a great win last weekend. But we're excited by the challenge as well," he said.
"We know it's going to be a big occasion, the first time for us playing in front of our fans for the first time in a while.
"The Blues are tracking well. But this is why you want to play the game. You want to test yourself against the best. The Blues are riding high at the moment. It is going to be a great battle," he said.
Cruden said he felt the difference for the Blues this year was the way they were gelling. There was cohesion between the forwards and backs. They were also playing what was in front of them well.
"We need to make that hard for them. For us, having come off a loss, there is going to be eagerness, there's going to be that edge about us this week. We have to make sure we prepare well and come with the right attitude on Saturday night," he said.
Knowing the requirements of first five-eighths so well, Cruden felt Blues playmaker Otere Black had benefited from having Beauden Barrett on the field in support and giving good voice and direction allowing them to work off each other.
"That worked well for them and predominantly teams that do that, things seem to flow quite naturally in that regard. We're going to have to try to nullify them," Cruden said.
Chiefs assistant coach David Hill said the first round for the side had been a case of getting back into the routine of preparation and then review. After their late loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday they felt they had been working well on prospective solutions.
They had a full backline available for selection and had been able to train against each other and that had been helpful.
They would be looking for more accuracy and to be more clinical in the way they wanted to play.
There had been a few too many errors and mistakes in their half, however, he was confident that was something they could fix.
"It's Tuesday, we've got a wee bit to tidy up but hopefully by the end of the week our confidence will build, we'll get some good training in and help us build our confidence again for the game," he said.