If the Blues do emerge from a brutal final three weeks and eventually squeeze into the Super 15 playoffs, they certainly will have earned their place.

Wynne Gray says the $600,000-a-year deal is the right choice for Rene Ranger. He cannot make that money in New Zealand and there are no guarantees he will stay in the squad or stay injury free.

Blues 15 France 38 Blues Head Coach Sir John Kirwan is pleased with his teams effort & says they have learnt heaps. Both teams were in the changing room after the match swapping jerseys & sharing a beer together. 'This is rugby, this is the great side of the game'.

French Head Coach Philippe Saint-André believes this type of game is important for players to learn, improve and for the spirit of the team. Saint-Andre even took time after the math to share a beer with Sir John Kirwan and remember the old memories.

For Sir John Kirwan, mid-week matches against international sides are the heart and soul of the game.

The Highlanders finally woke from a deep slumber to dispatch the Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night.

The Blues may progress in Super Rugby if they can win in Bloemfontein - but it is a big if.

What a shame Sir Graham Henry was forced by Sanzar to apologise for his refreshing honesty, writes Paul Lewis.

Not much has missed Ali Williams in his lengthy career. He's been around the rugby block more than most, suffered major injuries, fallouts with coaches, serious form fluctuations and ploughed his way through 77 tests and more than 100 Super rugby matches.

Usually the Blues gather early in the week to dissect video clips, review their last game and wade through ideas for their next match.

The "Better Never Stops" hoardings are plastered around Blues headquarters.

Weather warnings had been on the money and as conditions closed in on Eden Park, tactics looked straightforward.

Wet-weather footy, real rugby where the age-old tenets of ball security, discipline, defence and territory held true.

A shambles of a game - a disaster of a result. The Blues suffered the double whammy tonight of playing like dogs and losing.

Watch a replay of our live blog from tonight's Super Rugby clash between the Blues and the Brumbies from Eden Park in Auckland.

It seems rugby has been a long way from the programme for the Blues in a week when they need to recapture their Super 15 mojo.

Every rugby team needs workaholics, those men who tackle, mop up and do the dirty work.

The Blues have lost in-form blindside flanker Steven Luatua for their critical Super 15 clash with the Brumbies on Saturday.

The Blues must wonder if there is anything other than misery awaiting them in Christchurch. They haven't won their since 2004 and were never in anger of winning tonight.

The Crusaders coach said it would be unfair to throw the All Blacks fullback straight back into the fray when he was still struggling with his game.