The last time the Highlanders and the Blues played each other, the Blues were able to secure a 17-point win.
Match details
We are waiting for the kick-off.
0.00: Gareth Anscombe gets proceedings under way as he kicks off for the visitors.
1.00: The Blues get a put in at the first scrum of the match. The scrum disintegrates and there will be a reset.
2.00: The Blues gain momentum off the back of the scrum. Ma'a Nonu makes a solid break as the visitors move inside the Highlanders' 22. They lose control of the ball, however, and the Highlanders will get a chance to relieve the pressure.
3.00: Hadleigh Parkes dots down for the Blues' first try following a loose Highlanders pass.
4.00: Anscombe is unable to convert the try.
7.00: The Blues are awarded a penalty inside their own half after the Highlanders are penalised for pushing in the lineout. Anscombe kicks for touch.
9.00: The Highlanders look to run the ball from inside their own half but the Blues' defence stands firm. Eventually Tamati Ellison makes a solid break up the touchline but the Blues are awarded a penalty as the Highlanders go off their feet.
11.00: The Highlanders score their first try as Shaun Treeby dots down following a classy break from Hosea Gear in the midfield.
13.00: Mike Delany converts the try.
14.00: The Highlanders gain momentum off the restart as they work through several phases to get themselves inside the Blues' 22. The visitors are penalised for offside and Delany will have a shot at goal.
16.00: Delany bangs over the kick to extend the Highlanders' lead.
18.00: Again the Highlanders build phases inside the Blues' 22. They look to go wide but lose control of the ball.
21.00: The Blues attempt to gain momentum from deep inside their own territory. They work their way up to half way but are penalised for not holding on.
22.00: Poor decision-making continues to cost the Blues as they are penalised for crossing inside their own half. Delany will have a kick at posts.
23.00: Delany's kick is on target.
24.00: The Highlanders are penalised at the breakdown. Anscombe will have a kick at goal from directly in front.
25.00: The kick sails over and the Blues reduce the deficit.
27.00: The Blues gain momentum off the back of a scrum inside Highlanders territory. The Highlanders are penalised for going off their feet and Anscombe will have another kick at goal from 30m out.
28.00: Anscombe sinks the kick.
30.00: The Highlanders are penalised for illegal binding at scrum time. Anscombe kicks for touch to set up a lineout inside Highlanders territory.
32.00: The Blues work through over ten phases inside the Highlanders' half. The home side are penalised for offside and Anscombe will line up a kick at posts.
33.00: Anscombe bangs over the kick to hand the Blues the lead.
35.00: The Highlanders gain momentum off the restart as they continue to work through phases inside the visitors' half. The Blues' defence remains impenetrable.
36.00: The Highlanders get within 10m of the line and continue to apply the pressure as the Bkues are penalised for sealing off the ball at the breakdown. Delany lines up a shot at goal.
37.00: Delany's kick is on target and the Highlanders regain the lead.
38.00: Hosea Gear makes a solid break up field but is unable to off load and the Blues affect a turnover.
39.00: The Blues put in a massive scrum on the stroke of half time. Anscombe will line up a kick at goal.
40.00: The hooter sounds as Anscombe misses the kick.
The half time score was Highlanders 16 Blues 14.
40.00: Delany gets the second half underway as he kicks off for the home side.
42.00: The Highlanders look to run the ball from inside their own half but they are swamped by the Blues who defend ferociously. The Highlanders are pinged at the breakdown and Anscombe will have a kick at gaol from 30m out.
43.00: Anscombe bangs over the kick to hand the Blues an early lead in the second half.
44.00: The Highlanders get a chance to reciprocate immediately as the Blues are penalised for holding on. Delany will line up a shot at goal.
45.00: Delany's kick sails over and the Highlanders steal back the lead.
46.00: The penalty count is ever increasing as the Highlanders are penalised again inside their own half. Anscombe will have a kick at posts.
47.00: Again the Blues take the lead after Anscombe sinks the kick.
49.00: The Highlanders look to gain momentum as they string together phases inside the Blues' half. Again the visitors concede a penalty for offside and Delany will line up his fifth shot at goal.
50.00: Delany bangs over the kick and the Highlanders regain the lead.
52.00: The Blues gain momentum as they work their way into the Highlanders' 22. Piri Weepu off loads to Rene Ranger who dots down for the Blues' second try.
53.00: Anscombe adds the extras with the conversion.
56.00: The Highlanders look to hit back immediately as they get themselves inside the Blues' 22. The Blues are penalised as their tackler does not release and Delany will kick at goal from 25m out.
57.00: Delany's kick bounces off the upright and the Blues are unable to claim the loose ball, knocking on and handing the Highlanders an attacking scrum just 5m out.
58.00: The Highlanders are just 2m short as they work through over fifteen phases. The Blues' defence remains solid, constantly pushing the Highlanders back as they begin to lose ground.
59.00: Ranger is penalised for going off his feet and Delany will have a kick at goal.
61.00: Delany's kick sails over, reducing the deficit.
65.00: The Blues gain momentum off the back of a scrum inside Highlanders territory. Ranger loses the ball and the Highlanders look to capitalise. They get a put in at a scrum inside the Blues' half.
67.00: The Highlanders make a break and Hosea Gear is able to put in a kick which bounces across the line. Kurt Baker is able to get a hand on it before Rene Ranger and the TMO rules that the try has been scored.
69.00: Delany converts the try.
70.00: The Blues are penalised inside Highlanders territory and Delany clears.
73.00: Delany makes a break up field as the Highlanders gain territory but they are unable to hold onto the ball after extensive pressure from the Blues.
75.00: The Blues look to run the ball from inside their own half but they are swamped by the Highlanders who commit numbers at the breakdown and are able to affect a steal.
77.00: The Blues apply pressure inside Highlanders territory as the home side is penalised for not releasing. Anscombe kicks for the corner as the visitors are desperate to score.
80.00: The Blues have a put in at an attacking scrum just 10m out. The Highlanders concede a penalty as their front row collapses. The Blues opt for another scrum as time is now up.
82.00: The Blues work through several phases just 10m out but the Highlanders defence remains impenetrable. The Highlanders affect a steal and Bryce Lawrence blows his whistle for full time.
The final score is Highlanders 30 (16) Blues 27 (14).
Scorers
Highlanders
Tries - S. Treeby, K. Baker
Pen - M. Delany 6
Con - M. Delany 2
Drop -
Cards -
Blues
Tries - H. Parkes, R. Ranger
Pen - G. Anscombe 5
Con - G. Anscombe
Drop -
Cards -
Match Officials
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Assistant Ref 1: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2: Kane McBride
TMO:Vinny Munro
Teams
Highlanders:
1. Jamie Mackintosh (c), 2. Andrew Hore, 3. Chris King, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 5. Jarrad Hoeata, 6. Adam Thomson, 7. James Haskell, 8. Nasi Manu, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Mike Delany, 11. Hosea Gear, 12. Shaun Treeby, 13. Phil Burleigh, 14. Kade Poki, 15. Tamati Ellison.
Reserves: 16. Jason Rutledge, 17. Ma’afu Fia, 18. Doug Tietjens, 19. Culum Retallick, 20. Jimmy Cowan, 21. Chris Noakes, 22. Kurt Baker.
Blues
1. Tony Woodcock, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Ali Williams, 5. Filo Paulo, 6. Chris Lowrey, 7. Luke Braid (c), 8. Peter Saili, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 11. Benson Stanley, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 13. Rene Ranger, 14. George Moala, 15. Hadleigh Parkes.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Liaki Moli, 19 Dan Braid, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Michael Hobbs, 22 David Raikuna.
