Empathy is not the same thing as sympathy and Hurricanes forwards coach John Plumtree knows there will be no room for the latter in Palmerston North.
Plumtree saw the questions coming a mile away and was suitably prepared when asked about the ongoing woes of the 0-4 Blues and their beleaguered coach, John Kirwan.
"There aren't many experienced coaches out there who don't go through those patches. Teams go through these patches," Plumtree said. "It's the start of the season for them and they haven't gone so well but they will know it only takes that one win to kick your confidence into gear. One win leads to another and then you are away."
It was impossible not to picture Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd smiling knowingly from his office above Rugby League Park, where a few short months after overseeing Wellington's woeful provincial season, he is being lauded for a 3-0 Super Rugby start.
The Hurricanes and Blues could not be any further apart in terms of the way they have started their Super Rugby seasons.
Where the Blues are battered and bruised after losing an arm wrestle with the Lions in Albany, the Hurricanes are rested, refreshed and full of confidence after their bye week.
As Kirwan fights for his job, Plumtree's and Boyd's biggest worry is which of their All Blacks they will rest, if any.
"Some of the All Blacks have had a week off and we've still got time, we haven't nailed down selection yet," Plumtree said. "It will be a massive conversation for us when it comes to selection. We don't know what we'll do yet."
Ironically, the Blues' dire situation may have forced a rethink after early indications this could be an early opportunity to knock off some of first five-eighth Beauden Barrett, wing Julian Savea, or hooker Dane Coles' mandatory two rest weeks.
There is little doubt the Hurricanes expect to feel the full physical force of the Blues' frustrations as they fight to keep their season afloat.
It's a massive game for us.
"It's our first Kiwi team we've played in this competition and the [New Zealand] conference is huge in terms of being successful," Plumtree said. "It gives you the easiest path through to the final, so it's a huge game for us in Palmy."
Though it is still early in the season, Plumtree knows from his time with the Sharks just how difficult it is to travel away for the playoffs.
More than that, the Hurricanes have a chance to validate their strong start by beating a New Zealand rival.
To kick the Blues while they are down, would confirm they are developing the hard edge their defensive efforts in South Africa suggested.
And against a Blues backline that is all at sea, the Hurricanes might decide resting Barrett and Savea can wait a little longer.
Whoever gets the nod, Plumtree said lock Jeremy Thrush (calf) was the only player in any doubt and that the squad were fully recovered from their South African road trip.
"We feel lucky we had that week off because we came off that travel.
"The boys were tired pretty much until Wednesday-Thursday, so we didn't have to worry about a game week. It was good to relax and spend some time with family.
"The boys were great - they showed a lot of courage and guts at certain times during those games, and everyone can be really proud of them. We wanted a big start to the season and we got it . . . we're at this point now but it's just a start, nothing to get excited about yet.
"He [Kirwan] has a good squad, he knows that. He'll work it all out, he has some good assistants there and they'll be looking to get it all together this week against us."
