After Kirwan's side made the Reds turn various shades of pink during their outstanding five-tries-to-two 44-14 victory at Eden Park, the attention went straight back on the Blues' record away from their fortress - one victory in a season and a half, and that came at the start of last year.
Kirwan made a quip about being more disciplined at the buffet table - travelling teams are presented with tables often groaning under the weight of breakfasts, lunch and dinners - and there was a serious message behind it.
His players must take more of responsibility for their actions when trying to turn their impressive home record - five from five at Eden Park this year - on the road.
"It's about individuals understanding we need to find the same mental application that we do at home," he said. "You can't replicate it away from home - it's not your bed, you're sleeping in air conditioning - you've just got to make sure you're aware you're playing away and get on with it.
"Each individual has to have a plan in place for themselves so that they each get up and perform."
Playing the Chiefs away isn't easy for any team, but the Blues might feel they have a slight advantage playing at Yarrow Stadium, rather than Waikato Stadium. It will be the first time the Chiefs have played a match there under their new arrangement with the Taranaki Rugby Union and there will be intrigue around how the defending champions cope with the new environment.
With the New Zealand conference so tight - five points separate the top-ranked Chiefs from the bottom-ranked Blues - every inter-conference match is becoming even more crucial in the run-in to the play-offs.
Injuries to Kirwan's midfield threaten to stall his team's momentum slightly, but George Moala played well against the Reds and is an able replacement for Jackson Willison, who has torn a hamstring.
With Francis Saili also facing a lengthy time on the sidelines with an ankle problem, Kirwan needs at least one replacement back, and will look to the Blues development team for one or more reinforcements.
Charles Piutau, who played the final minutes of last Friday's match at centre, would not be a candidate for the No13 jersey, at least in the short term, Kirwan said.
"We considered it for sure, we're still looking at that, but he's just going to well at fullback. I think the back three [Piutau, Frank Halai and Lolagi Visinia] are really starting to show some stuff."
- By Patrick McKendry of APNZ
