It is the collective effort of the Blues in keeping the Highlanders try-less in their 30-12 victory at Eden Park which suggests John Kirwan's team are beginning to gain traction.

Blues' supporters questioning the wisdom of getting Ma'a Nonu back this season should have had their minds put at ease by the performance of the All Blacks midfielder at Eden Park last night.

Auckland Blues head coach John Kirwan said, this was his teams best performance, 'we've been asking the boys to play for 80 minutes and I think they done that tonight'. A strong defensive start set a good platform which helped keep the Highlanders scoreless, winning 32-12 at Eden Park.

Herald rugby writers Gregor Paul & Patrick McKendry are joined by Nigel Yalden from Radio Sport to give their expert opinion and analysis after the Blues impressive win over the Highlanders 30-12 at Eden Park.

The Blues looked a lot less like the Blues tonight and yet they also looked a lot more like potential playoff contenders.

Watch a replay of our live blog fom the Super Rugby clash between the Blues and the Highlanders from Eden Park in Auckland.

Jerome Kaino is back in the No 6 jersey, but Blues' forwards coach Mick Byrne has warned against expecting too much too soon.

It was Piri Weepu's speech problems while with the Blues in South Africa that prompted the scan that revealed he had played three matches after suffering a minor stroke.

Ma'a Nonu, Jerome Kaino, Hayden Triggs and Bryn Hall have all been promoted from the reserves bench to start for the Blues against the Highlanders at Eden Park on Saturday night.

The Blues have been the beneficiaries of a timely visit from All Blacks' scrum coach Mike Cron as they prepare to avenge their week one defeat to the Highlanders.

The Super 15 maze shifts to Eden Park on Saturday as the Blues host the Highlanders for their repeat contest.

New Zealand Herald rugby scribes Wynne Gray and Gregor Paul discuss the Blues, Ma'a Nonu and Jerome Kaino.

The Blues were a hard watch at the weekend, and that wasn't entirely down to referee Francisco Pastrana, although he must take some responsibility.

Jerome Kaino and Ma'a Nonu have come through their first assignment of the season and will see their workloads increase markedly from here.

Sir John Kirwan wants referees to have less say in scrums, calling the set piece a "lottery" which could be easily fixed with one simple change.

A big score, an easyish win and yet still no definitive clues as to what this Blues side are all about.

The Blues thrilled and spilled their way to a 40-30 win over the Cheetahs at Eden Park tonight.

Join us here for our live blog of tonight's Super Rugby clash between the Blues and the Cheetahs from Eden Park.

The cold reality of professional rugby is starting to bite at the Blues, and in particular, Benji Marshall.

Referees boss Lyndon Bray has admitted match officials got it wrong in both of the Blues' recent defeats in South Africa.

The feeling of positivity around the Blues after their victory over the Crusaders has all but evaporated in the aftermath of their South African tour.

They both spent big to attract high-profile fullbacks, both have coaches still needing to prove themselves and together they've accumulated one win between them in 2014.

Gregor Paul and Wynne Gray discuss the upcoming Blues games, Benji Marshall and Ma'a Nonu.

Blues coach John Kirwan is looking for answers from referees' boss Lyndon Bray after getting what he feels is a rough deal from match officials for the third game in a row.