That was the last time the Blues won the championship – 20 long years ago – but this match, won by the Crusaders 34-28, was a throwback to those times when this competition really meant something.
This, the Blues' first home game of the season, was ill-tempered, intense and highly relevant to the hopes of both teams.
In an extraordinary twist as the minutes ticked down, Blues’ lock James Tucker and No.8 Hoskins Sotutu were over for tries awarded by referee James Coleman but replays showed both lost the ball in the act of scoring.