After a week of intense pressure and speculation about his coaching future, John Kirwan desperately needed a performance from his men to stave off the wolves. Unfortunately for Kirwan, this 13-10 defeat was ugly.

Four loses in a row this season and a record that, in his third year, now reads 13 wins from 36 games is dire in any professional, results-driven business environment. The Blues board were this week forced to express their faith in Kirwan but how much longer will that last?

Make no mistake, the knives are being sharpened. As they would for any chief executive of a major failing firm.

When Lions wing Ruan Combrinck crossed the line in the 63^rd minute to take the lead for the first time it was scarcely believable the visitors could emerge victorious.

Ihaia West's 77^th minute penalty then sailed wide from 35m out and the cold harsh reality hit home for the Blues. They had just been beaten by the competition's worst team. The Lions celebrate; the Blues heads slumped.

There is almost now way they can emerge from this hole now.

Former All Blacks Michael Jones, Joeli Vidiri, Eroni Clarke, Robin Brooke and Blues stalwart Justin Collins were on hand to acknowledge Keven Mealamu's record breaking Super Rugby appearance.

Memorabilia from his 163^rd match aren't likely to make the wall. It was hard not to feel for the big-hearted veteran. He deserves better.

With the Hurricanes, Waratahs and Chiefs all away over the next month the Blues' playoff hopes and, indeed, Kirwan's tumultuous tenure with the franchise could conceivably be dead in the water before their first match of the year at Eden Park against the Brumbies on April 10.

The points table told us this was a match between Super Rugby's worst teams and after 80 minutes in Albany that seemed fully accurate.

Close to the line the Blues were directionless throughout. They went left, right and up the middle, without any real confidence in their decisions. Jimmy Cowan's delivery was laboured and it was not a surprise to see him replaced at the break.

Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Steven Luatua and Jerome Kaino threatened – as they always do – and Luke Braid gave his guts, but their endeavour was more individual than collective. Rugby is a team game.

This week the Blues found patience but, despite controlling almost the entire first half, they could only cross the line once.

The Lions barely mounted one attacking movement before Combrinck's try, let alone venturing into the Blues' 22. And, yet, somehow the Blues couldn't put them away.

They did the opposite. After leading 10-3 at half time they invited the Lions back into the match and effectively gifted them the result. It was grim stuff indeed.

Big defence and collisions characterised the Blues work ethic.

Execution, however, was sorely lacking. West, Lolagi Visinia and Charles Piutau all made clean breaks that were squandered. Elementary errors blew chance after chance, evoking an impossible cringe. Even the dirty trackers in the stand couldn't hide their frustration.

Kaino's try 10 minutes before halftime wasn't well worked. It came about through pure weight of possession and pressure.

If it did not already, That same pressure now weighs heavily on Kirwan's shoulders.

Lions 13 (Ruan Combrinck try, Elton Jantjies pen 2, con) Blues 10 (Jerome Kaino try, Ihaia West pen, con). HT: 10-3