It seems no time since the All Blacks were in Europe at the end of the 2000 season, but already the opening fixtures on February 23 for Super 12 2001 are looming large.

The Auckland Blues, who begin their campaign with a tricky visit to Carisbrook to face the Highlanders, will be back at work on Monday for the first of two NZRFU fitness testing sessions in their home town.

Their early training hit-outs will be geared towards the first of their pre-tournament practice matches against John Mitchell's Chiefs on the 27th. The former Waikato skipper and England assistant coach will want to see evidence of his side's mettle early in the season.

The Blues head off to Australia on February 6 for an intensive nine days of practice and match play. In the space of seven days they will face a Queensland Country side on the Gold Coast, the New South Wales Waratahs at Ballymore and the Queensland Reds in Nambour.

On their return they will have another week to absorb the lessons of the trip before putting the final touches to their Carisbrook preparation.

As yet there is no news as to who will captain the side. Pre-Christmas speculation had identified lock/flanker Charles Reichelmann as a possible candidate, but reports from Eden Park today indicated that the Blues' management do not feel under any real pressure to make an announcement.

Having won the first two Super 12 titles in 1997 & 1998 under Graham Henry's coaching, the Blues have struggled since his departure.Jed Rowlands endured an uncomfortable year in 1999 before being replaced by Gordon Hunter and Frank Oliver for the 2000 season. A considerable cloud hangs over Hunter's future, he is in poor health and it is by no means certain that he will be able to complete the season.