Even as they stagger through another disappointing Super Rugby season, the Blues have managed to preserve New Zealand's unbeaten streak against Aussie teams, with a gritty 24-21 win over the Waratahs in Sydney.
The Australian conference leaders scored three tries - all converted - to the Blues' two, but were let down by their discipline, allowing first-five Stephen Perofeta to guide his side home with four penalties.
With this result, New Zealand now enjoys a 38-game winning run over their trans-Tasman counterparts and if the top Aussie team can't beat the bottom NZ outfit, you have to wonder how this streak will end.
As it happened: Super Rugby - Waratahs vs Blues
The Blues struck first, when halfback Augustine Pulu hacked the ball forward from a midfield scrum and the Waratahs defenders made a hash of running it out from their line. Rieko Ioane gathered up the loose ball to stroll across for the opening try.
Perofeta extended that advantage with a penalty, but the Waratahs came charging back, when Israel Folau made a break and sent Cam Clark dashing towards the corner. When Blues flanker Dalton Papalii stopped him with a high tackle, he was yellow-carded.
From the attacking lineout, the Waratahs forwards rumbled towards the line and hooker Damien Fitzpatrick simply fell over for a try.
Now a man short, the Blues responded with a try to Tumua Manu, after Peroteta and fullback Matt Duffie made the initial break.
But Folau created another try for the home team, finished off by Sekope Kepu and converted by Foley to draw within a point.
Another Perofeta penalty gifted the Blues an 18-14 lead at halftime and then he padded the margin with another midway through the second half.
With 10 minutes remaining, the young first-five put the margin beyond a converted try, but his team needed that buffer, after Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper dashed 20 metres for a try, converted by Bernard Foley.
Suddenly, the margin was only 24-21 with eight minutes remaining.
The Waratahs threw everything at their rivals and their best chance came with less than two minutes left. After 19 phases, hammering away at the Blues line, Kurtley Beale kicked across field for Folau, but kicked too far, over his fullback's head and into touch.
With their walking wounded slowly returning to the fold - All Blacks flanker Jerome Kaino returned for this encounter - the Blues now host the Hurricanes on Friday, but are yet to win at home this season.
The Waratah's grasp on the Australian conference will face a further test next Saturday, when they travel to Christchurch and a match-up against the top-of-the-table and champion Crusaders.
Blues 24 (R Ioane, Manu tries; Perofeta conversion & 4 penalties) Waratahs 21 (Fitzpatrick, Kepu, Hooper tries; Foley 3 conversions)
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