Blues face demons on return to Christchurch graveyard

MELBOURNE - Beauden Barrett will look to mount another case for the All Blacks number 10 jersey and inspire the Auckland Blues to a rare Super Rugby Pacific win over the Canterbury Crusaders at their Christchurch house of pain.

Barrett was instrumental in back-to-back wins over the Wellington Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika, and fans will hope for another blinder on Friday as the defending champions battle to remain in contention for the playoffs.

I’m just enjoying playing footy at number 10, Barrett told New Zealand media.

Time in the saddle is nice.

The challenge going south is a huge one. They’re top of the table at the moment so that’ll be a real test of where we’re at.

It will be a test that comes hot on the heels of their last one against the leading Crusaders, who thumped them 42-19 at Eden Park four weeks ago, triggering scathing reviews from home media.

Barrett was missing from a depleted Blues team that night while nursing a fractured hand.

Now, four points out of the top six playoff spots, the Blues are in better nick for the rematch as they look to overcome a record of 13 defeats from their last 14 matches at Rugby League Park.

Rob Penneys Crusaders, meanwhile, return home in great spirits after taking top spot from the Waikato Chiefs with their victory over the Wellington Hurricanes.

The Chiefs stumbled against the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney last weekend, leaving them in second place, a point behind the Crusaders.

Barretts rival for the All Blacks number 10 shirt, Damian McKenzie, had a rare shocker against the Waratahs and will look to rebound against the seventh-placed Otago Highlanders at Waikato Stadium on Saturday.

Four points adrift of the Chiefs, the third-placed ACT Brumbies have returned to their