Part of that comes from being the supposedly weak link in the stacked New Zealand conference, and having to play each of their local rivals twice.
But their travel arrangements are also something of a nightmare.
Not only do they have to travel to South Africa for away matches against the mighty Lions and the Stormers, but they also have to deal with a lengthy flight to Tokyo three weeks later.
It's not the trip to Japan that will worry Tana Umaga and the Blues, but having to return home from the Land of the Rising Sun for a home clash with the Highlanders.
