The Highlanders lost a nailbiter to the Blues 19-15 at Carisbrook last night, failing to head off the visitors in a match which could have gone either way.
Two tries by the Blues midway through the second half ultimately proved the difference between the sides, with Blues having enough control in key moments.
The Highlanders conceded 12 points in under four minutes to the Blues and could not claw their way back into the game - their second loss in as many Super 14 matches this season.
The Blues dominated possession in the second half and the Highlanders suffered from not having enough ball in the closing quarter.
The home side again conceded some silly errors at exactly the wrong time, mucking up a couple of kick-offs and failing to put enough phases into its play.
There was no luck for the Highlanders when, 10 minutes into the second half, Blues fullback Paul Williams had his kick partially charged down but it bounced straight into the hands of prop John Afoa.
The latter scampered 30m and then fed the sprinting Williams, who went over for a try without a hand being laid on him.
Just four minutes later and the Blues were in again.
The visiting side swarmed back on to attack and after several drives at the line, the ball went wide and replacement centre Rene Ranger made the most of the overlap.
It was a monumental shift and the Highlanders were always chasing the game from then on. They could not get enough territory when it really mattered in the dying stages.
There was a sniff of a chance near the end but they could not keep the ball forlong enough to sustain any pressure.
The home team showed plenty of guts to keep its line intact after Josh Bekhuis was yellow-carded after a ruck indiscretion midway through the second half, but that defence appeared to drain them in the final minutes.
There was too much inaccurate kicking from both sides, though a strong cross-wind made kicking difficult, especially in the opening period.
Best for the Highlanders was openside flanker Alando Soakai, while first five-eighth Michael Hobbs had another fine game, showing poise on attack.
Hooker Jason Rutledge was lively around the ruck.
The Blues started well and had the first points after just eight minutes.
They shifted the ball wide and Williams, back on his old home ground, received the ball 15m out.
He bumped off an ineffectual James Paterson tackle to score in the corner.
Stephen Brett knocked over the conversion for the extras.
But the Highlanders took just a minute to reply.
From a line-out 25m out, Jimmy Cowan ran wide and put Paterson into a gap.
He drew the last defender and Israel Dagg went over.
Hobbs hit the post with the conversion.
The Highlanders then went in front after a botched Blues line-out near their own line.
The ball came out to Hobbs and from 3m out he just barged over.
He knocked over the simple conversion.
Brett missed an easy penalty straight out in front with five minutes left in the first half.
