The Blues are back baby, and how! Top of the table, three from three, perfect start to the new comp going into the bye week and then the ultimate test against them down there.

However well you might think you've been playing, whatever progress you think you've made, the big balloon called confidence that only comes from winning can come to a crushing halt vs the Crusaders in Christchurch.

But. Until then the sleeping giant of Super Rugby has awakened in a way unseen since Pat Lam took the team to the finals. The Blues have won seven games in a row. They've just beaten three NZ sides in a row and two of those away from home.

Remember when the Blues were just a sorry statistic being 100 years and 1000 games since they'd managed a win against any NZ side? Gone, gone, long time gone. That was then and this is now and right now the team is riding a wave of optimism and enthusiasm that can only be genuine.

Something has changed and it's palpable, physical and very real. Maybe the Covid-19 crisis canning sport worldwide and the realisation of what you love only when its lost is a largish part of it all?

Regardless, it doesn't matter. You don't ask why people like you, you just open the door and embrace it. And, yes of course, half of it all is hype.

Guilty? Yes! Here am I raving about the transformation in this team.

A vibrant, energetic, hungry young squad mixed with a few grizzled veterans, one or two with chips on shoulders and everything to prove, a couple with regaining higher honours on their minds, bring in a bonafide superstar in Beauden Barrett, add Dan Carter just for fun and some crazy comeback talk - the Blues ARE back!

Playing well, closing games that in previous seasons would've slipped away. These days you expect them to win. Say that out loud.

The table doesn't lie it can only speak fact. How long it lasts matters not. The Blues have got their swag back.