The Highlanders have ended their 2019 winning drought with a 24-12 victory over the Blues - their first win in nearly two months.
It was a game dominated by forwards running and tackling hard, which was evident in the first half.
It took until the 23rd minute until a point was scored - Ma'a Nonu was the man to break the Highlanders defensive line open and set up Tom Robinson to score the first try of the match.
The Highlanders hit back straight away through Shannon Frizell, the big man scoring his sixth try of the year and taking the lead out to 7-5 for the home team.
That is where the score stayed until half-time with both sides going close but lacking the final pass.
The home side came out of the sheds with all the confidence and swagger in the second half, playing attractive rugby across the field.
A dominant few phases attacking the Blues line set up a scrum for the Highlanders which they swiftly turned into seven points - a penalty try award from referee Paul Williams.
Any chance of some Blues momentum was quashed after a Sam Nock pass was intercepted by Matt Faddes who had the speed to run the whole way to take the home side's lead out to 21-5.
The Highlanders kept their foot on the throttle dominating all facets of the game against an error-stricken Blues side.
A Josh Ioane penalty sealed it for the home side before a late Malani Nanai try gave the Blues the last laugh as the Auckland based side suffered their second straight loss.
Newshub.
