KEY POINTS:
The Blues answered some searching questions to underline their Super 14 rugby pedigree tonight.
They may have been battered and bruised but they overcame a feisty Chiefs 18-11 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton to maintain their place atop the standings.
It did not come easy against their nearest
neighbours and it was not until the 57th minute that they poked their noses in front for the first time.
But the injection of reconditioned All Blacks, hooker Keven Mealamu and lock Ali Williams, for the second half added much needed starch to a Blues collar which had earlier appeared somewhat flimsy.
The Blues were jittery when confronted with the sheer physicality of the Chiefs, boosted by the return from injury of hard working lock Keith Robinson.
They were well off their game in the first half, flinching on too many occasions in the face of the Chiefs' uncompromising approach.
The worst offender was first five-eighth Isa Nacewa, who twice dropped straight forward passes under pressure, the second time on his tryline when the Blues were saved only by the halftime hooter.
The Chiefs hustled and bustled their way to an 11-8 halftime advantage after the Blues began the match without their captain Troy Flavell, who was a late withdrawal due to a groin injury, leaving the leadership duties with flanker Daniel Braid.
It was not long before they also lost second five-eighth Luke McAlister, who left the field after taking a head knock.
These disruptions hardly helped the Blues' cause as two Stephen Donald penalties gave the home side an early 6-0 lead before loose forward Jerome Kaino took full toll of a lucky lineout deflection to score a try for the Blues.
The Chiefs responded with a fine team try scored by second five-eighth Tasesa Lavea, who found himself on the end of the chain after his team moved the Blues to the right then the left before space opened up.
The employment of Mealamu and Williams for the second spell stiffened the Blues' resolve as they inspired a change in momentum.
Mealamu carried the Blues into a 13-11 lead 17 minutes into the second half when he was driven over from a lineout and he then made a crucial half break four minutes later to lay on a try for right wing Doug Howlett.
It was a special moment for Howlett, representing his record 58th try in 99 Super matches.
Blues 18 (Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Doug Howlett tries; Isa Nacewa pen) Chiefs 11 (Tasesa Lavea try; Stephen Donald 2 pen). Halftime: 8-11.
- NZPA
