Highlanders 10
All the theory went out the window. The Blues wore white and played like England, backing their defensive wall to win this battle instead of their feared attacking artillery.
Five times Luke McAlister walked up and blasted penalty kicks between the posts to convert illegalities as the Blues lifted the heat and the Highlanders infringed.
This was a rugged contest and another victory for the Blues which captain Keven Mealamu dedicated to their lock Kurtis Haiu who is battling bone cancer. They were also without test lock Anthony Boric whose hamstring gave way before the game.
"If you play a lot in your half against a team like this they will sting you, and when we play down here you've got to take territory against a team like this," Mealamu said of his team's tactics.
Victory pushed the Blues winning streak to six and their unbeaten run to eight matches as they retained their lead in the New Zealand group of the Super 15.
Tight matches turn on small moments. For these sides that came shortly before halftime when the Blues won a penalty and Mealamu called for a scrum rather than instructing McAlister to kick for goal.
Three times referee Chris Pollock ordered a reset as the clock eased past the 40 minute mark. The fourth scrum was fatal for the Highlanders as they poured through to shut down Peter Saili at the back of the Blues scrum.
They thought they'd done it when Pollock blew loudly on his whistle but his blast brought a double whammy for the hosts. Lock Jarrad Hoeata was sinbinned for killing the ball and McAlister goaled his third penalty.
That gave the Blues a 9-0 lead but a real advantage in such a titanic struggle. Possession was evenly split, but the Blues' kicking gave them a territorial advantage and their defence, for the most part, pinned the hosts in their own part of Carisbrook.
Not just after the break though when they surged to the Blues goal line and Robbie Robinson bashed across the line and converted his try. It was a superb reposte and set the tone for a far more adventurous half.
Ben Smith was a counter-attacking threat for the Highlanders, starting strongly in midfield and then using his skills from fullback after Tony Brown retired hurt. Several times he burst from the back and had the Blues under pressure.
