Until 1945 when the first post war Tournament was held (1846 also saw the inauguration of Winter Tournament) the award of Blues was automatic with the winning of events or selection for an NZU side. As from that first post war Tournament, the award was non-automatic in that it was withheld from those whose performances were poor. However the standard was not made uniform, nor was it high enough. Some members of the student population (past and present) were concerned about the number of Blues being awarded as one said "they are worth 1/6 a dozen")—so came into being the Blues Panel.