The squeeze is on for the Blues -- four days out from the season opener they have no captain to fill in for Jerome Kaino after the veteran was red-carded in the Auckland side's final preseason match.
Steven Luatua is clearly a candidate, but he's both willing and reluctant to take charge against the Highlanders.
"I'll take it in my stride if it comes along, but there's a whole lot of other experienced guys around," he says.
With a perfect record in preseason, new coach Tana Umaga doesn't appear to be leaving anything to chance, and that means he sets up the training drills.
"He likes to make sure everything is perfect, but [there's a] few too many cones for my liking," Luatua quips.
It's not going to be an easy ride for Luatua as he tries to return to the top, while under-20s phenomenon Akira Ioane is also vying for the No.6 jersey and relishing the team culture under Umaga.
"It's pretty chilled, which is really good. When it does get down to the serious stuff we do buckle down, but off the field the boys are always mucking around making jokes, and coaches are in it as well, so [it's a] good team environment," he says.
Luatua is also enjoying the change of environment.
"Being a broken arse last year definitely feels like the first time playing, so it feels fresh," he says.
However, the question remains -- will a fresh feel equal a fresh start, and an end to a 12-season title drought?
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