Blues assistant coach Paul Tito believes the upsurge in Australian success may be connected to their disappointments at last year's Rugby World Cup.
"They've started pretty low after the World Cup. With Joe [Schmidt] sitting in the stands, everyone is keen to impress. They're coming together and we've seen an increased performance."
That reminded the Blues that they are not in a position where they can loosen off.
They were disappointed with their performance in their loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington at the weekend—a loss that cost them prop Jordan Lay for the rest of the season after he broke his ankle. Three-quarter AJ Lam is still recovering from a head knock and is unlikely to play in Sydney, but fullback Zarn Sullivan and wing Caleb Clarke are expected to be available.
"We've got to be physical at the breakdown. We've got to be better than last weekend; otherwise, you will go to Sydney and come back with nothing.
"We had plenty of entries to the 22 and for some reason we lost the ball when we got in there. We need to be better."
That was at the front of their training, and Tito said he didn't think it was a mindset issue; it was more a case of valuing the ball and having everyone work together.
"They're playing much better rugby, and it's good for the competition. They're having a real crack at the Kiwi teams, where, in the past, maybe they've been a bit hesitant and not backing themselves.
"It's good to see. It's putting Kiwi teams on notice that we will need to be at our best to go there and get some wins.
"It was a given the last couple of years what would happen. Now, we're seeing two Aussie teams have good wins in the weekend; the Force going to Canberra and nearly winning. There's a bit happening which is good for the competition."