Rebels 23
The Blues stretched their unbeaten sequence to seven last night as they outlasted a gallant Rebels side searching for their first Super 15 victory in New Zealand.
It is the best season run from the Blues since the golden glow of 1997 when they drew their opening game then went on a 12 match unbeaten blast to the title.
Victory came with its blemishes, there were too many unforced mistakes for the mental clarity of the coaching staff.
Once again the Blues showed their fragility, getting off to a fast start and a substantial lead before their errors and the Rebels' determination bit into that lead.
However the result meant it was a Good Friday for the Blues, another win they needed in the leadup to their next much-anticipated duel with the Highlanders.
Good news too that Ali Williams survived his comeback. He made an early imprint claiming the initial kickoff and first lineout and getting busy after his six week injury layoff.
The other player on centre stage early was Rene Ranger, the sometime All Black winger with an endearing ability to make much from very little.
He is a powerful attacking force, a hybrid Robbie Fruean-Ma'a Nonu mix, brutal on attack but with occasional careless moments.
Infuriating too when he hung on instead of offloading to an unmarked Isaia Toeava outside him with the Rebels' tryline beckoning.
Not so early though, when he clobbered the Rebels twice.
He fended off three defenders in a 40m surge down the touchline for the opening try after just two minutes.
When he repeated after 11 minutes chasing Alby Mathewson's grubber, hacking on and scoring, the result looked inevitable.
The Rebels looked bereft on defence out wide as the Blues punished them in close, drawing their men in before sending possession wide.
Joe Rokocoko was the next scoring beneficiary claiming the inside ball from the lively Jared Payne who had opened up another alley near the touchline.
It was point a minute stuff, slaughter for the men from across the water.
But when referee Jonathan White blew for the interval, the Blues were only six points ahead.
The Force had scored two tries through persistence, exploiting the Blues' defence which stood back expecting play to break down.
The visitors shored up their defence but the suspicion was they would battle to stay with the pace later in the game.
However they came out with renewed gusto after the break, standout No 8 Gareth Delve was held up in the combined tackle of Toeava and replacement five-eighths Luke McAlister across the stripe.
The Rebels continued to press and started to find defensive holes.
As the Blues tired they fell off tackles and the visitors got more than a sniff of an upset.
Danny Cipriani goaled another penalty and with 15 minutes to run they were only eight points adrift. Then he goaled another magnificent 43m penalty as anxiety levels rose throughout the hosts.
Brett's modest three successes from eight kicks at goal, including a miss from in front, was starting to look telling as Cipriani goaled every one of his kicks.
The pivotal late moment came when Toeava lost possession and the Rebels pressed but also turned the ball over. From that phase, the Blues shifted the rare possession for Payne to cruise over with the overlap and then crowned the game with Luke Braid scoring.
