The Blues are no closer to getting Beauden Barrett back on their books for the rest of the season, as SANZAAR continues to mull over their application to allow him to play.
They relish having him back around the group and with the struggling Crusaders up next, the Super Rugby Pacific tabletoppers are wary of dropping their guard.
Just another day of Blues training for Barrett, but he's no closer to pulling on the jersey. The franchise's request for dispensation to bring Barrett into their squad for the rest of the season is no closer to a resolution.
"If he turns up with his boots and wants to help, I'm keen for him to be there and if someone says he can play, then we'll consider him," said coach Vern Cotter.
For now, conversations with Cotter continue to be about how he can best help prepare the Blues, with the business end of the season fast approaching.
"He's been instigating it as well, because he wants to know what we're doing and how things are tracking," said Cotter. "It's just great having someone else who can test us and challenge us at this end of the season."
"It's good to have him back," confirmed Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu. "His experience and wealth of knowledge is pretty extensive."
While Barrett won't be available for Saturday, the Blues are hardly likely to need him, as they head to Christchurch to face the wounded Crusaders, but despite the defending champions' struggles, Cotter warns against complacency.
"We can't fall into the trap of how their season's going," said Tuipulotu. "That's exactly what we don't want to do.
"We have to carry on exactly how we normally would against a Crusaders side."
Cotter agrees.
"When your back's against the wall - any team that has its back against the wall, it doesn't matter where they are - in a game of rugby, at 80 minutes, anything can happen."
The Blues don't have fond memories of their last 80 minutes at Christchurch, suffering a 50-point hiding in last year's semi-final.
There's a clear expectation that they right those wrongs on Saturday - with or without Beauden Barrett.
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the Blues v Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific clash
