Excellent in the second half of their loss to the Chiefs in round one, the Blues forwards put in a massive effort for the 60 minutes they were without the red-carded Hayden Triggs against the Stormers and carried on their good work a week later against the Cheetahs.
Both the scrum and lineout is a lot more consistent than this time last year and the overall feeling is that there is more to come yet, according to new forwards coach Glenn Moore.
Patrick Tuipulotu made his presence felt in his first start of the season last weekend - his power game combining with finesse in terms of offloads that caught several of his teammates by surprise. Charles Faumuina caught one with his right hand to go over for a try, but Luke Braid will rue dropping an easier offload less than a metre from the Cheetahs' line.
Skipper Jerome Kaino has picked up where he left off last season, one in which he won the New Zealand Super Rugby player of the year award. His six turnovers for the season are bettered only by Liam Gill's nine.
"As a unit they are going pretty well, the set piece is going well, but I still think there is a bit left in us yet," Moore said.
The other thing the former Highlanders assistant coach is at pains to point out is that there is no frustration being aimed at the backs, despite the front-foot ball they are getting.
Charles Piutau has been virtually their sole attacking threat thus far - his 14 defenders beaten the best in the competition, with the Hurricanes' blockbusting wing Julian Savea next on 12.
"We're all aware that we are creating opportunities and we've just got to convert those, that's all there is to it," said Moore, who is relishing working with the likes of Tuipulotu, Faumuina and Kaino.
"They're skilful men, with plenty of power. It's a good group, they're willing to try new things and they're working damn hard for each other and that's something we're focusing on here."
Moore, originally from Ashburton, spent five years at the Highlanders before coaching Mid Canterbury, and said he was enjoying his new role thoroughly. He is in the first year of a two-year deal.
Kaino (100 matches for the Blues reached last weekend) and Keven Mealamu (a record-breaking 163rd Super Rugby match) will be honoured before and after the Lions match at North Harbour tomorrow, with Moore saying the pair would play a part in the team's motivation.
"First and foremost everyone wants to win because the team needs a win, but everyone is very conscious of those two guys. They're rugby icons and have a lot of history here and are certainly inspirational to the team. There will be a lot of extra fight coming out for them but at the same time we've got to make sure we're focused on the task and that's to win the game."
Blues team to play the Lions at QBE Stadium North Harbour tomorrow is: Lolagi Visinia, Frank Halai, Charles Piutau, Francis Saili, Melani Nanai, Ihaia West, Jimmy Cowan, Jerome Kaino (c), Luke Braid, Steven Luatua, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Reserves: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta'avao, Hayden Triggs, Brendon O'Connor, Jamison Gibson-Park, Simon Hickey, Hamish Northcott.
Lions: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Sampie Mastriet, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley (c), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Martin Muller, Franco Mostert, Julian Redelinghuys, Robbie Coetzee, Corne Fourie. Reserves: Armand van der Merwe, Jacques van Rooyen, Ruan Dreyer, Robert Kruger, Derick Minnie, Faf de Klerk, Jaco van der Walt, Howard Mnisi.
- By Patrick McKendry of NZME
