It may be Round 6, but Blues coach Pat Lam knows this is make or break time.
Rested and recovered after the bye, four of the next five Blues' games are at what Lam described as 'our park' – the garden or construction of Eden.
With a two-win, two-loss record the Blues are 10th.
The Auckland-based side's first home game, against the fourth-placed Brumbies on Friday, will show if the 2010 side has more character than those which have failed in the last two seasons – 2008 they finished sixth, 2009 ninth.
Their opponents have the best Australian squad on paper – Matt Giteau, George Smith and Rocky Elsom form the core of an experienced, accurate and structured side that, dangerously, has yet to fully fire this year.
Although, they will miss Stirling Mortlock who is out with neck and shoulder complaints.
"This is a big challenge," Lam acknowledged.
"We are going out on Eden Park to put in a big performance."
Lam will field his strongest possible side – baring Luke McAlister who has a 10-day stand-down for a broken nose.
The sole change sees Isaia Toeava return from a hip injury and shift from the midfield to fullback, where he made his All Black debut in 2005 at 19, shunting Paul Williams to the bench.
Lam outlined why the Blues are right up for this match.
"We are back on our park," he said with a grin.
"It's every young player's dream, particularly in this area, to play on Eden Park."
"Some boys will play there for the first time as Blues players and there's a real buzz and excitement about it."
Also, 'honest and hardworking' captain Keven Mealamu's 100th match for the franchise added extra motivation.
"He is the ultimate professional who you want all your players to be," Lam said.
"It's a big day for him, the team and our franchise."
McAlister will play for the development team on Wednesday to push for selection against the Waratahs in Sydney next Saturday night.
He has not played for the Blues in two years, since taking up a contract with the Sale Sharks in the English Premiership and was clearly frustrated.
"I don't want to be known as being injury prone," he said.
"A stray boot in the face that I didn't see coming is not something I can stop."
"It would be nice if things went a bit smoother, but you've got to deal with it."
While happy with his fitness levels, he was jumping out of his skin to get back on the park."
"I've done all the fitness I can, but there's nothing like match fitness. You can do all the training you want but it's not the same as actually tackling on-field and getting off the ground quickly. I need that more than anything."