The Highlanders scored four tries en-route to a 27-20 bonus point win over the Blues at Eden Park. The win was just the second at ground in the history of the franchise.
After jumping out to a 27-6 lead, the Highlanders once again let the opponents back into the game by letting in two tries to hold on for a 27-20 win.
It was a far from convincing performance, as they struggled up front at both scrum time and at the breakdowns. Discipline was also an issue, conceding far too many penalties and letting the Blues off the hook far too often.
Although in saying this, it was a much improved performance from the Blues, playing with a new found urgency that has been a rarity from them this year.
After the first twenty minutes the game was certainly still in the balance, but a good chase from Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison and then a break from Kurt Baker saw the Highlanders touch down twice in the 15 minutes before the half. A magnificent try to Hosea Gear after Ben Smith cut straight through the Blues defence in the first minute after the break then took the score to 20-6.
Another try twenty minutes later saw Adam Thomson claim an askew lineout throw from Blues hooker James Parsons, having to only fall over the line for the easiest try he'll ever score.
The try characterised the Blues' season, and in the end was the difference between the two teams. With the score at 27-6 with twenty minutes remaining, the Highlanders were in the box seat and looked as though they shouldn't be challenged from this point.
But what has come to be a habit of the Highlanders this year is getting this position and then letting their opponents back into it, having to hold on for a close win at the end.
Good teams bury their opponents, giving them nothing. While the Highlanders have proved adept at closing out close games, one must ask why they are in the position where they must do this in the first place.
This was the case once again, although this week's episode could perhaps be put down to the introduction of the Blues bench, or more specifically Ma'a Nonu, who was dangerous from the moment he stepped onto the park. The pressure mounted, and the Highlanders were forced to defend for nearly all of the final twenty, conceding two tries and just doing enough to walk away with a seven point win.
The best of the Highlanders was Adam Thomson, who once again had a strong all round game, particularly on defence where he made some good tackles and at lineout time where he was the dominant figure once again.
But the big thing to come from the game was the bonus point, which could be crucial in a few weeks time when it comes to deciding the top six.
With the three remaining games pitting the Highlanders up against the Crusaders, Chiefs and Reds, it is no easy run in and bonus points against these teams look unlikely, making the extra point that much more valuable. To have a shot at the top six though, at least one, if not two, of these teams must be beaten. Then it comes down to how other results pan out.
To beat these teams, it will take a much more complete performance. But with a three week break coming up after next week's game against the Crusaders, the Highlanders will have a chance to re-energise and regain the intensity and physicality that made them so strong early on in the season.
So it's not all bad. And after all, when you have won just one game at a ground since the competitions inception, does it the manner in which they attain the second really matter?