Can the Blues perform in 2010? © Getty Images

Wynne Gray believes that the pressure is on the Blues ahead of the Super 14 in The New Zealand Herald.

"When the media, as part of this year's Super rugby launch, were involved in a quiz on the competition's history, the results were at best mixed. Not surprising, really. Not when 1066 matches have been played in the professional competition since the Hurricanes hosted the Blues in Palmerston North way back in 1996. "From memory, it was a boisterous evening, a full house on a balmy Friday night in early March as referee Paddy O'Brien whistled the authorised start for professional rugby in the Southern Hemisphere. O'Brien has since gone north as has the Blues five-eighths Carlos Spencer, though he is making a remarkable comeback with the Lions this season. "There are other connections. Midfielder Alama Ieremia, who scored the first try in Super history, will be back as part of the Hurricanes' coaching staff when the same sides meet in Albany next Friday to start this year's competition."