The Blues halfback Alby Mathewson says the players must shoulder the blame for their retched start to the Super Rugby season.
Coach Pat Lam has copped the majority of the criticism following the side's one win, six loss start to 2012, with the former Samoan international's family exposed to racial abuse on social media websites and talkback radio.
A win against the Sharks at Eden Park tomorrow night will mean Lam can sleep easy for at least one week and Mathewson says it's time the players stepped up for their embattled coach.
