The streak from hell is over. After more than three years, and 20 matches, of futility, the Blues finally have a victory over a Kiwi Super Rugby rival.
That dreadful winless run, which stretched back to round 1 of 2016 against the same Highlanders outfit on the same ground, was finally snapped on Friday night at Eden Park as Leon MacDonald's Blues – at long last – held their nerve to secure a 33-26 victory over the Highlanders. It's been a long, long time between drinks, but that amber liquid sure tasted sweet in the home changing-rooms as the celebrations unfurled into the night.
The Blues' last victory over a Kiwi rival had been on the opening round of 2016 when they rolled the Highlanders 33-31 in Tana Umaga's first match as head coach.
This sweet win well and truly lights the fuse on their 2019 campaign, their second victory of the season (back to back as well) taking them back into the race on 10 competition points. The Highlanders pick up a single bonus point for their third defeat of the campaign to edge up to 13 points.
The huge result was nailed by a 73rd-minute try to replacement Blues lock – and acting captain – Patrick Tuipulotu as he powered over from close after the home side had thrown the kitchen sink at the Highlanders who were clinging to a 26-23 lead at the time.
Rieko Ioane, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ma'a Nonu, Dalton Papalii and Tom Robinson had all featured, and the All Black lock could not be stopped when he took his turn. Otere Black's conversion and a 77th-minute penalty completed the upset.
Rieko Ioane was once again the star of the show for the Blues with two quality tries to stud a busy night, but, boy, fullback Melani Nanai was not far behind him with an exhilarating display of open-field running. He scored one try and was a menace throughout with his mix of pace and footwork.
Blues loose forward Robinson was the best of the home pack. He's a rookie, this flame-haired Northlander, but you wouldn't know it with the consistency, class and out-and-out workrate he has delivered throughout this campaign. That power-packed home bench also contributed plenty over the final quarter.
The Smiths, Ben and Aaron, were quality all night for the visitors, which set them apart from their All Black team-mate Waisake Naholo who had a night to forget, which went from bad to worse when he copped a late yellow card for a lift tackle on Robinson.
That big, abrasive Highlanders pack did what they do well, which is to say they scrummed like all heck (notching a try and a gift penalty directly from their superiority at the set piece) and edged the physical contest, but it was not enough on a night when the Blues' X-factor finally served up the result.
Blues loose forward Robinson was the best of the home pack. He's a rookie, this flame-haired Northlander, but you wouldn't know it with the consistency, class and out-and-out workrate he has delivered throughout this campaign. That power-packed home bench also contributed plenty over the final quarter.
The Smiths, Ben and Aaron, were quality all night for the visitors, which set them apart from their All Black team-mate Waisake Naholo who had a night to forget, which went from bad to worse when he copped a late yellow card for a lift tackle on Robinson.
That big, abrasive Highlanders pack did what they do well, which is to say they scrummed like all heck (notching a try and a gift penalty directly from their superiority at the set piece) and edged the physical contest, but it was not enough on a night when the Blues' X-factor finally served up the result.
The Highlanders did muster a try of their own – Luke Whitelock finishing a fearsome scrum pushover in the 18th minute – and did well to stay in the contest, courtesy of a three-for-three half by Marty Banks off the tee. The visitors looked most threatening when the classy Ben Smith managed to breach with two dazzling runs from deep.
After a couple of penalties were traded early in the second half, for the fourth and fifth lead changes of this absorbing contest, Highlanders wing Tevita Li struck with an unlikely try in the 54th minute that gave the visitors the lead, 23-18.
Blues No 10 Harry Plummer looked set to launch a stock clearance, but sliced the ball badly and Li did well to first rise up and snaffle the ball and then dash away on a 30m run to the line after TJ Faiane got caught up with a support runner.
But the Blues struck back, with Faiane's break putting Melani Nanai away for his first try of the season, and his team's third on the night, as the scores were knotted at 23-23 entering the final quarter.
Banks put the visitors in front shortly after, but this time it was the Blues who sealed the deal with their strong finish. Streak-busters they are.
Blues 33 (Rieko Ioane 2, Melani Nanai, Patrick Tuipulotu tries; Harry Plummer 2 pens, con; Otere Black pen, con), Highlanders 26 (Luke Whitelock, Tevita Li tries; Marty Banks 4 pens, 2 cons). Ht: 15-13