John Plumtree knows what Blues coach Sir John Kirwan is going through and hopes his Hurricanes don’t feel the backlash this weekend.

The Hurricanes return from a bye for Friday’s game in Palmerston North, where they hope to improve their 3-0 win-loss start to the season which was all achieved on the road.

They host a Blues side with the opposite record – 0-4 – which has heaped scrutiny on the northerners and Kirwan.

Kirwan defended himself aggressively after Saturday’s 13-10 loss to the Lions.

Experienced Hurricanes assistant Plumtree says he feels for the former All Blacks great.

“Teams have this. There aren’t too many experienced coaches out there who don’t go through these patches,” he said.

“They haven’t done that well but they’ll know it just takes that win to kick their confidence into gear and get on with it.

“We’ve seen teams in the past have slow starts and then go really well and I’m sure they’re talking about that.”

Plumtree says he went through a similar scenario in two seasons of his five-year stint as Sharks head coach in South Africa.

The Sharks recovered both times to record mid-table finishes.

Rebuilding a team can be a longer process than many people realise, he said, and Kirwan is obviously still putting his imprint on the Blues.

“He’s got a good squad and they’ll be looking to get their stuff together this week against us.

“It will probably bring the best out of them.”

Plumtree says he and the players appreciated their early week off, as it came straight after an arduous travel schedule.

He downplayed their successful tour, which comprised tight wins over the Lions and Bulls before thumping the Force 42-13 in Perth.

“We know it’s just a start – nothing to get excited about yet.”

The only injury concern surrounds All Blacks lock Jeremy Thrush, who missed the opening games with a calf injury. He will undergo fitness tests this week.