Crusaders next for the Blues but it’s all smiles for

THERE was a sight rarely seen from the Blues players after their 25-3 win over the Lions on Friday night. Smiles.

It has been a long and painful season for the Auckland-based franchise but the relief from the players to win their first game at Eden Park this year was as visible as last weekend’s super moon.

Even though the Blues only beat a dreadful Lions side, they now have some momentum and confidence levels have risen. Which is handy, because they play the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday night.

Blues halfback Piri Weepu admitted it was hardly a flawless performance on Friday night but at least they’ve now got a platform to build on.

‘‘It has been a long time coming, but we can’t be satisfied with that,’’ Weepu told

‘‘There has to be a lot of work done and we’re trying to work hard every week. We’re happy that we’ve got a win, but it’s trying to maintain this when we push forward to next week.

‘‘There are a lot of positives we can take out of it, but there are also negatives to take from it too.’’

There is a big difference between playing the Lions in your own back yard and having to face the Crusaders in theirs. While the Blues will still go into the game very much as the outsiders, there will be some belief in the camp.

‘‘I guess it could be a confidence