This article was originally published on Stuff and is reproduced with permission
The Blues have secured a home final against the Waratahs next week with a clunky 16-9 win against the Highlanders, but they were made to fight all the way against the desperate southerners.
Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession and territory, the Blues were wasteful in attack in an Eden Park performance that did not suggest they could win the title.
In fact, the Blues failed to register a point in the second half and finished with their scrum in reverse as replacement Highlanders prop Saula Ma’u again enhanced his credentials.
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However, the Highlanders’ defeat means they need the Rebels, Fijian Drua and Western Force to all lose over the weekend to keep them in a playoffs berth.
In a possible blow for the Blues’ finals hopes, Caleb Clarke was replaced in the third quarter with a corked thigh.
But they appear to have bigger issues to worry about before the visit of the Waratahs.
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The Highlanders were forced into an extraordinary number of tackles, and they also survived a 10-minute period in the second half when prop Jermaine Ainsley was in the sin bin due to repeated scrum infringements.
Early ill discipline from the Blues prevented them from finding any rhythm and clearly frustrated coach Leon MacDonald in the coaching box.
The Highlanders also turned up with a plan to exert pressure on the Blues with their kicking game, and they enjoyed some success.
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Lock Pari Pari Parkinson and prop Jermaine Ainsley led a committed defensive effort from the visitors, while the Highlanders also won a number of crucial breakdown penalties.
However, tackling Telea is a bit like trying to wrap your arms around water at the moment, and the in-form Blues No.14 threatened to cut loose with a number of jinking runs and offloads.
The Blues big men then got involved with some strong carries off No.9 Finlay Christie, and it was no surprise than Patrick Tuipulotu crossed the line for the opening try after 28 minutes.
Three penalties by Harry Plummer gave the Blues a 16-6 half-time lead as they shifted into a final mentality one week ahead of schedule.
The second half, however, was a real grind as Stephen Perofeta looked rusty in the No.10 jersey, and the Blues couldn’t break down the Highlanders’ relentless defence.
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