Blues coach Leon MacDonald is well aware his side faces a true litmus test against the Crusaders this weekend.
Following a comfortable victory over the Chiefs last weekend, the Blues are back in the hunt for the playoffs, but the two-time defending Super Rugby champions could put pay to that dream on Saturday night.
Having run the Crusaders close in the opening game of the competition, MacDonald knows his squad measures up, but for MacDonald, the key is in the preparation.
"We have had the same approach every game and that is to strive to produce quality performances and to improve every week," said MacDonald.
"If you put on a performance of quality over 80 minutes, then positive results are likely to follow, and we are getting closer to achieving that.
"We know that we will need to be at our very best against the Crusaders."
And they will face a side well motivated after a disruptive week that included a draw against the Stormers, and two alleged off-field incidents that has led to an independent investigation.
That makes the Crusaders a very dangerous proposition according to MacDonald.
"Just like the people of the region, they know how to dig deep in times of adversity, and so we know what to expect."
MacDonald has resisted the temptation of change, with Tom Robinson the only new face in the starting lineup that faced the Chiefs at Eden Park.
The blindside flanker replaces the impressive Dalton Papali'i who suffered a concussion last weekend.
All Black midfielder Sonny Bill Williams is edging closer to a return but MacDonald wouldn't draw a line on when that might be.
Blues: 1-Alex Hodgman, 2-Leni Apisai, 3-Ofa Tuungafasi, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu, 5-Scott Scrafton, 6-Tom Robinson, 7-Blake Gibson, 8-Akira Ioane, 9-Jonathan Ruru, 10-Harry Plummer, 11-Rieko Ioane, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 13-TJ Faiane, 14-Caleb Clarke, 15-Melani Nanai
Reserves: 16-James Parsons, 17-Marcel Renata, 18-Lua Li, 19-Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20-Hoskins Sotutu, 21-Augustine Pulu, 22-Otere Black, 23-Levi Aumua
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