Defensive strength will be vital at Eden Park

h 00156040 1

Blues coach Vern Cotter said, "The Chiefs are the team that passes the ball the most. That passing generally means they're trying to find space. They're trying to find space on the edges and are very good at counterattack.

"So, it [our defence] is heads up and anticipating that type of thing. They've got a playmaker in Damian McKenzie, who's very quick on his feet and sees opportunities quickly.

"A lot of things revolve around him, and if you focus too much on him, then the halfbacks will have a run or somebody else. They have a physical forward pack and pride themselves on that.

"First and foremost, we need to get a purchase into the game around that, and then, defensively, look for those cues, and then when we hands on the ball, go for it."

The Blues learned from last week's loss to the Crusaders that they needed to follow good moments with other good moments.

"You've got teams that don't go away in front of you, and you have got to maintain pressure on them.

"We let that pressure off with a lack of focus and some handling errors. We're not denying our scrum was under pressure, as well as our lineout.

"Things that gave us comfort were taken from us."

That emphasised the week's preparation on ensuring they were tested in every manner so they could find the resources and situations to get themselves out of and then turn things around.

The response from the players to the reset they needed with their set piece was good.

"They're proud and want to do well, which hurt. They've been busy working this week to fix things with the coaches.

"Whether it be technical, tactical, whether it's bringing a little bit of attitude or bringing something else, they been up for it, and it's the business end of the season so you have to get it done."

Captain and lock Patrick Tuipulotu said the Crusaders game had been a wake-up call for the Blues.

But at this stage of the season, when they lead the competition, they are a target for all teams, and the Chiefs would be different.

"We know how we feel when our game's going right and that's when we're dominating collisions, winning the set piece battle and going forward. They are three good checklists we want to tick off on Saturday night."

After the Crusaders upset their scrum, Tuipulotu said it had been about a lack of connection.

"A lot of us went by ourselves and weren't really together. And against some pretty impressive scrummagers down there, they had a field day. We had a tough review, and [scrum coach] Greg Feek's been on that, and we've had some good lessons and training.

"We want home advantage [in the finals], so winning this game with a bonus point is part of that."