KEY POINTS:
The Blues remain the Super 14 leaders after surviving the full rugby inquisition from the Highlanders last night.
While they cantered to the top of the competition against a flimsy Reds side, the Blues had to uncork some top-drawer determination at Eden Park to overcome the visitors' grit.
Centre Isaia Toeava was at the core of the action as he blasted over for two tries to provide a winning margin which gave few clues about the struggle the Blues had to endure.
"We anticipated a hard-fought match because the Highlanders are a side who never roll over and never give you points easily," coach David Nucifora said.
The Blues had to adjust their attack after halftime, asking the pack to carry the ball through the middle of the field while their backs also attacked closer in. Those changes unhinged the visitors' defiance.
"They are a quality Blues side there is no question about that," Highlanders coach Greg Cooper said.
This is a different Blues side this season. They have shed some of the flimsy edges, they have responded to the driving leadership of new captain Troy Flavell, who had another strong performance, they have adjusted their attitude.
The Blues were a notch in class above their foes and able to unleash all that danger in the final quarter once they had worn down the Highlanders' resistance.
It was appropriate that Flavell, who was "totally shattered" after the match scored the final try after a charging drive from No 8 Jerome Kaino in a show of athleticism the Highlanders could only admire.
A bonus point for tries escaped the Blues but the warning they sounded to the rest of their rivals was noisy enough.
An all-penalty first half suggested the dreary sort of snorefest which has been regular Super 14 fare from the Reds or the Lions.
It was some way from that though as the sides hoed into each other. There was a tasty start and a couple of little scuffles after a high shot from Flavell and a no-arms tackle from his locking partner Greg Rawlinson.
Indiscipline allowed Nick Evans two penalty attempts and the first five-eighths kicked both in a smooth return to centre stage after his leg injury.
That promising start was soon halted as the Blues pack started to drive up the middle, splintering the stout defence of the visitors.
Luke McAlister converted a penalty as his pack gained a toehold in the match and in successive forays, busy wings Doug Howlett and Rudi Wulf were halted just short of the tryline.
The pressure was relentless, the Blues used all their attacking variety but the Highlanders absorbed the lot.
Pick and drives through the middle were sawn off, a pushover scrum was repelled, bullocking runs from John Afoa and Kaino were denied.
All the tricks from a backline which mesmerised the Reds last week were frustrated by the excellent defence of the Highlanders. As the exasperation levels grew for the Blues, they started to crab across field in their attacks while Toeava was held up over the line in Jimmy Cowan's covering tackle.
When referee Steve Walsh blew for halftime, the Highlanders still held their 6-3 lead in what was a remarkable tribute to their defence. In the final move of the half though they lost right wing Craig Clare with a broken right leg and the necessary backline rearrangement was exposed soon after the break.
Toeava made amends for his first-half miss when he got outside his man for a try. It signalled the eventual outcome though that struggle still had a long way to run.
Blues I. Toeava 2, T. Flavell tries; L. McAlister 2 con, 3 pen
Highlanders N. Evans 3 pen.
Halftime: 3-6.
