The Highlanders walked away with the spoils against the Blues on Saturday night at Forsyth Barr Stadium, winning 26-20 after being down 20-13 at the break.
To use a tired cliche from a former Auckland great, it was a game of two halves.
In the first half, riding on the back of a penalty count that was 9-2 in their favour, the Blues made all the running and looked more threatening.
But the Highlanders simply rolled their sleeves up in the second half, threw themselves into battle and came away the victors.
Midfielder Richard Buckman said that was what it came down to - good old-fashioned guts and determination.
''It was pretty physical. They've got a big pack and a backline too. I think we showed a bit of heart to get in there and take them,'' he said.
''I think in the first half we just didn't show that. In the sheds we got a bit of a message to go out and play a bit smarter. We did not want to let our home crowd down.''
The Blues had muscle and X factor all over the park but so did the Highlanders and the home side eventually won the battle.
''They are big blokes but you just enjoy it. They are a pretty All Black-stacked backline but you want to challenge yourself against the best.
''We gave away some dumb penalties in the first half. We had wanted to physically match them and that is what we did in the second half.''
The bodies have a week off to come right and they are going to need it after a rugged struggle.
The Blues dominated the first half, scoring tries through prop Charlie Faumuina and lock Gerard Cowley-Tuioti. Referee Jamie Nutbrown gave the Blues a 9-2 advantage in the penalty count in the opening 40 minutes so the Highlanders could get nothing going.
Ben Smith scored a good try for the Highlanders just before the half-hour mark after a nice run from winger Patrick Osborne led to a Highlanders attack.
In the second half, the Highlanders pressed and big centre Malakai Fekitoa went over after going close two minutes earlier.
Marty Banks then put the side ahead a quarter of an hour into the second half.
The game was decided when the over-hyped Sonny Bill Williams, who declined to speak to media after the game, threw a shocking pass along the ground. Banks kicked it down field and the Highlanders grabbed a penalty to give them a six-point buffer.
Best for the Highlanders were the midfielders, both Smiths, and forwards Liam Coltman and Alex Ainley.