The Blues captain Ali Williams says they lost some of the respect they had earned when they didn't perform in the first half of their Super Rugby encounter against South Africa's Bulls, eventually losing 28-21 in Auckland.
Sir John Kirwan, who opened his reign as Blues coach with shock wins over the Hurricanes and Crusaders, fielded six debutants in a gamble which proved too great for his fledgling enterprise.
The Bulls led 15-6 at half-time after Lionel Mapoe and Akona Ndungane had run in tries on overlaps caused by unrelenting pressure on the home defence.
A try from Rene Ranger four minutes from time added to Charles Piutau's 52nd minute effort to offer the home side hope, but it was too little to make up for a lacklustre first-half display.
Morne Steyn added 13 points from the boot for the Bulls, who have moved to the top of the South African conference.
