2008, the beginning of a new rugby year, and what a big year it it promises to be, not only for the Blues, but I believe for NZ Rugby in general. With the 'experimental law variations' and the NZ Public in desperate need of a return to normality after the disappointments of 2007.

The Blues open their account against the Chiefs, a side the Blues have generally struggled with, and with the heavy loss to the Highlanders in the pre-season hit out last week, not too many people would be betting against yet another home loss to the visitors form down the motorway!

As usual, on paper the Blues have one of the best backlines in the competition, coupled with a better than solid looking pack, one could be forgiven for thinking the Blues should walk this one; however this is the Chiefs they are facing, one of the more unpredictable and probably the most under-performed sides in the competition!

Not that the Cheifs have ever lacked quality players, they are chock full of them, and also on paper, should really be contesting the top 4 year in year out!

The Blues need to start well, adapting to the new laws and adapting to how the ref's interpretate them will be vital to any sides success in 2008, and despite many people criticisms of David Nucifora, this is one area he seems pretty adept at dealing with; playing to the extent of the laws.

As usual, everything will start up front, and if the Blues pack front up, the Blues will do well. The form of NZ S14 player of the Year, Braid will again be a component in any success. It seems when Braid plays well, the Blues do well, and Braid seems to have slowly climbed his way up the pecking order in NZ rugby, and while rated #2 behind McCaw, was in fact the form #7 in NZ last year.

2008 is also the year Rokocoko needs to step up and show his class we see at International level, at S14 level. His experience, most likely on the right wing will be vital in trying to fill the massive void left by Howlett.

The mid-field is an area of so much potential, and we may, hopefully not to the detriment of the team, see this mixed up; with Toeava, Tuitivake, Atiga, Stanley & Nacewa all vying for a spot, although Nacewa is most likely to play 15.

The other crucial position I see is at 9, the explosive talent of Moa and the vastly experienced Lee, in some of the best form of his life, well at AirNZCup level last year anyway. I personally would go for Lee to start and use Moa off the bench.

I don't think we will see a change from the Blues running rugby in 2008 they have come to live and die by. What I do hope we see is the consistency we saw in the early part of the 2007 season.

My starting XV is; Woodcock, Mealamu, Afoa, Flavell (C), Haiu, Collins, Braid, Kaino, Lee, Evans, Wulf, Toeava, Tuitivake, Rokocoko, Nacewa

As much as I want the Blues to win, and think they should win, I have my doubts they will win; heart says Blues by 6, brain says Chiefs by 4.

What we do know, is it should be a cracker of a match!

Match Stats;
Auckland            Blues Loss    9-30
Auckland            Blues Loss    20-27
Auckland          Blues Win     37-30
N/Harbour          Blues Loss    25-32
Auckland          Blues Win     25-23
Auckland          Blues Win     39-31

Ave tries per match                 5.3
Ave score per match               26-29

Blues have squared off with the Chiefs at home in rounds 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 & 14, with the Chiefs having the better of the early encounters in rounds 2 & 3; Blues have played 2 matches at home in round 1, with 1 win and 1 loss.