Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu may feel like a racecar driver who has discovered a vindictive buffoon has used a hammer to clobber his vehicle's vitals when Super Rugby Pacific is played this weekend.
The Blues have the bye for the penultimate round and while it provides them an opportunity to recalibrate and refresh after getting tonked by the Hurricanes last week, it also prevents them from adding to their points total.
So Tuipulotu and his team-mates have to sit, watch and wait.
As coach Vern Cotter, Tuipulotu and everyone else involved with the Blues takes time to reflect on their recent form, which has taken an alarming turn for the worse, they may hear the sound of engines revving and gears crunching in the South Island.
That noise will be the Crusaders getting prepped for their match against the Chiefs in Christchurch on Friday night.
