Winger Joe Rokocoko gives married life part of the credit for his fast start to the Super 14 rugby season.
In just three rounds of the competition so far, he has nabbed four tries, including a hat-trick against the Cheetahs last weekend.
"Maybe it's just happy times at home," Rokocoko, who wed long-time sweetheart Beverley Politini in Fiji in January, said today.
"I'm married now. It's all happy days."
On the training ground, a good pre-season after the All Blacks' disappointing early exit from last year's World Cup had also been a factor.
There had been the chance to get mentally refreshed and to begin anew.
The table-topping Blues' next match, against fellow unbeaten side the Sharks in Durban on Sunday morning, will be a special one for Rokocoko, being his 50th for the franchise.
"It's a huge milestone," he said.
"It's the first 50 games I've played for any team. To get 50 games for a team like the Blues is an awesome achievement."
His debut five years ago is still fresh in his mind. It was against the Waratahs in Sydney, he remembered with ease.
That was also a big day for him personally, because he was appearing for the team he had supported at Eden Park and for whom cousin Joeli Vidiri had once played.
Being in every match so far this campaign is a significant change from a year ago for Rokocoko.
Then, he made a late start to the Super 14, being held back as one of the reconditioned All Blacks and then picking up an ankle injury.
When he returned to reckoning for selection, he found it tough to get back into the side.
Now, Rokocoko was relishing being out on the field each week and said his body was bearing up well to the demands of the experimental law variations, which had meant more running for the back three.
Rokocoko will have a different colleague at fullback this weekend, with Isa Nacewa's unavailability through a knee injury.
Coach David Nucifora will reveal Nacewa's replacement tomorrow night, when he releases his 22.
"It's disappointing to lose a class player like that but the good thing about this team is that we've got depth," Rokocoko said.
'We've got players like Ben Atiga and George Pisi who can fit in there really well. We're confident with any player in that role."
The Sharks did the double over the Blues last year, winning in in Auckland during the round-robin stages and in Durban in a semifinal.
Rokocoko said those results hadn't really been an issue during the Blues' build-up this week.
"This year is a whole new year," he said.
"We're wanting to perform better than last year and we're looking forward to the new challenge."