The Blues halfback Piri Weepu admits the Benji Marshall saga has hindered the side's preparation for their Anzac Day Super Rugby clash with the Waratahs at Eden Park.
Marshall was granted a release from his contract on Wednesday to allow him to return to the NRL after an unsuccessful foray into rugby union, with the Cronulla Sharks emerging as frontrunners to secure his services.
Weepu says it hasn't made things easy as the Blues look to arrest their poor run of form and silence the critics who claim the players have no desire to win.
Weepu will come off the bench against the Waratahs after recovering from a minor stroke and heart surgery.
