BLUES 40
HIGHLANDERS 15
KEY POINTS:
The Blues did all they could. That summary has not described many of their matches this season but on Saturday, in Dunedin, against the Highlanders, they ticked all their must-do boxes.
They won, grabbed four tries for the bonus point and appeared to have escaped Carisbrook without any casualties for Friday's quarter-final against the Hurricanes at Eden Park.
The hosts will have a spring about their work this week knowing they still have a rough chance of making the playoffs but the Hurricanes will be a shade twitchy about a host of issues.
Of most immediate concern will be the verdict at tonight's judicial hearing for tighthead prop Neemia Tialata who has been charged with a dangerous tackle during his side's 21-10 victory against the Force.
That victory continued the Hurricanes' strong form in the closing stages of the competition but they still remain an uncomfortable point short of confirming their place in the final four. They could hardly be blamed for missing that target in terrible conditions in Wellington but coach Colin Cooper was anxious they had not yet nailed down their semifinal place.
He will also be monitoring the recovery of All Black flanker Jerry Collins who has missed the last few games because of rib problems.
The Blues decided to start tight forwards Tony Woodcock and Troy Flavell who had been doubtful because of leg injuries and both survived unscathed until they were substituted when the Blues had assured themselves of the bonus-point victory.
The northerners controlled the first half with Nick Evans claiming the initial 21 points with two tries and successful kicks before Rudi Wulf finished a slick set-piece try as the Blues got stuck into a Highlanders side which was lethargic after their return from South Africa.
The third quarter was a totally different episode. Several superb long-range tries sparked by captain Craig Newby's initial busts had the Blues anxiously wondering if they were going to win let alone get a fourth try.
Their anxiety showed as they messed up some plays until from a scrum - the one constant area where the Blues dished out lessons to their rivals - centre Anthony Tuitavake danced past a handful of defenders to claim the vital touchdown.
The pressure released, Wulf went close again and provoked a sinbinning from the desperate defence before David Smith collected a 75m runaway try when he poached an unprotected loose ball at the breakdown.
For most of the match, the Blues displayed a purpose and clarity which was missing during their troubled run through the middle of the series.
The scrum was a juggernaut, Anthony Boric gave the lineout more shape, Jerome Kaino and Nick Williams carried powerfully while Taniela Moa continued to add the variety which was missing at halfback.
There were thumping hits and twinkling toes from Benson Stanley and Tuitavake in midfield while Wulf remains a most dependable finisher and defender. Once again though, coach David Nucifora and his staff have to treat this week as a sudden-death scenario where the Blues have to take a maximum-points win to have a chance of reaching the semifinals.
They have achieved the feat in successive weeks, do they have a third escape act in their repertoire this Friday?
