They outscored their rivals four brilliant tries to two, and while the visitors had a first-five in Marty Banks who kicked all six attempts at goal, and a better scrum, in the end it wasn't enough, although naturally they didn't stop trying.
Trailing by three points with six minutes remaining, it was replacement lock Patrick Tuipulotu who put the Blues ahead with a try by the posts which was just reward for his performance – he brought some serious heat when replacing Josh Goodhue after half an hour – and a home side who tipped the form book on its head.
"It's an area we haven't been great at – close to their line and finishing off and scoring," MacDonald said. "A lot of it is mindset and the will to get over that line. There were some big carries. I thought Patrick was outstanding in that area and all the forwards really rolled their sleeves up in that part of the field as well."
Rieko Ioane had dynamite in his boots in scoring two tries to go with his four last time out against the Sunwolves and he haunted his opposite Naholo throughout. Both of his tries were superb but his first, when he turned Naholo inside out, was a classic.
The only issue for the Blues is that the 23-year-old Ioane is nearly due for a rest due to his All Black requirements. A smiling MacDonald said: "He's going to have to rest for a game very soon; I might organise a midweek game or something like that."
Tuipulotu was good and so was Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson and especially Tom Robinson. And while the scrum was under pressure at times; they conceded a pushover try to Luke Whitelock in the first half, the way the front row, boosted by the considerable figures of Ofa Tuungafasi and Karl Tu'inukuafe, was a credit to them. In the end it was the Blues putting pressure on the Highlanders scrum.
Credit too must go to the way the Blues kept their composure; for once, the cynics might say. A poor Harry Plummer clearance gifted former Blues player Tevita Li a try but they never dropped their heads, in fact they came back stronger.
And now the Highlanders are on a streak – four games without a win. Disappointed coach Aaron Mauger said: "We were probably the masters of our own demise. I'm not taking anything away from the Blues – they thoroughly deserved their victory. They executed in those big moments, especially at the end there."
Blues 33 (Rieko Ioane 2, Melani Nanai, Patrick Tuipulotu tries; Harry Plummer 2 pens, con, Otere Black con, pen)
Highlanders 26 (Luke Whitelock, Tevita Li tries; Marty Banks 4 pens, 2 cons)
Halftime: 15-13
