[Please refresh for the latest updates]
Highlanders 24 - 12 Blues
Full-time.
83 min: Josh Ioane kicks the ball out and it's all over. Stay tuned for the match report.
81 min: TRY - Blues, too little too late, but it's a lovely try - a cross kick from Plummer and Malani Nanai walks it over. Kick is good. Highlanders 24 -12 Blues.
80 min: Tavita Li makes the tackle of the match - stopping Knock.
77 min: Forward pass from Rieko Ioane, but the Blues had the advantage.
74 min: More mistakes from the Blues - the Highlanders winning another scrum.
72 min: A penalty won by the Blues- but it's too late - The Highlanders have been amazing in the second half.
69 min: Penalty won by the Highlanders and it's all going downhill for the Blues.
68 min: Blues win a penalty- they will need to score very soon if they are to mount some sort of comeback.
64 min: Highlanders win a penalty and they will kick for the points, it's good. Highlanders 24 - 5 Blues.
62 min: Another mistake from the Blues - a knock on from Plummer.
59 min: Dominant from the Highlanders here, Ben Smith sends Frizell through the gap and there is a forward pass - boy the Highlanders are looking good.
57 min: The Highlanders go up by 16 points and then bring on Aaron Smith and Luke Whitelock to the field.
56 min: TRY - Highlanders, intercept from Faddes from the Knock pass and he goes the whoel way for a try. Kick is good. Highlanders 21 - 5 Blues.
55 min: Huge attack from the Highlanders but there is a knock on - Blues scrum.
53 min: Highlanders scrum on the halfway line, they have their tail up here.
50 min: TRY - Highlanders, huge scrum from the Highlanders and the ref calls a penalty - huge moment. Highlanders 14 - 5 Blues.
47 min: Very close from the Highlanders, short is the call. Scrum to the Highlanders.
43 min: Knock on from the Blues in a dominant position and the Highlanders win the scrum.
41 min: We are back in the second half.
Half-time: Not a high scorer in Dunedin but it has certainly had some drama and big hits.
43 min: Knock ons from both teams and the ref calls half time.
41 min: The hooter goes and the Lander push forward - the ball goes to Tavita Li if he hangs onto it he goes over, he knocks it on. The Blues go on the counter attack but knock it on, Highlanders win a penalty and kick for touch.
39 min: Patelesio Tomkinson makes an intercept and the centre is away down field - Rieko Ioane chases his down and the Blues gather and clear.
35 min: Blues win a big penalty - 5m from the line, they kick for touch.
32 min: The Blues opt for the lineout but a knock on sees the Highlanders win a scrum.
31 min: Huge scrum from the Blues and they are rewarded with a penalty.
27 min: TRY - Highlanders, It was sloppy in the end - but Shannon Frizell recovers the ball and scores. Kick is good. Highlanders 7 - 5 Blues.
25 min: No try, great work from Caleb Clarke to save the Blues from conceding a try.
23 min: TRY - Blues, Ma'a Nonu makes a fantastic break - gets through the line and finds Tom Robinson who scores the opener. Kick is wide. Highlanders 0 - 5 Blues.
21 min: The Blues go close once again, Rieko Ioane is at the centre of the break - Ben Smith lets the ball go out.
19 min: The Highlanders win a penalty and there is some push and shove from Jonathan Ruru and Elliot Dixon.
18 min: Rieko Ioane finds some space on the left wing but Ben Smith is there to tackle him.
16 min: Once again, really good work from the Blues but the pass is called forward - there is some huge hits so far in this Kiwi derby.
14 min: Great backline move from the Highlanders and Tavita Li kicks it in behisnd but once again Rieko Ioane is is there to cover.
12 min: Rieko Ioane makes a break down the left wing and it's Josh Ioane who stops the big winger.
11 min: The Highlanders win the ball back and it' cleared through Kayne Hammington.
10 min: A mistake from the Highlanders and the Blues have the ball again.
8 min: The Blues go close but great defence from the Highlanders earns them the penalty.
7 min: Blues win a penalty and decide to kick for touch.
7 min: It's all Blue so far this game, they just can't find that final pass.
5 min: Another grubber in behind for the BLues but it's Ben Smith who cleans up before the Highlanders win a penalty.
4 min: Grubber in behind the Highlanders line and Rieko Ioane is away but the ball goes out.
2 min: Positive start from the Blues, but the man playing his 100th - James Parsons concedes the penalty.
1 min: Kick off here at Forsyth Barr Stadium
===========================================
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's coverage of the Super Rugby clash from Forsyth Barr Stadium as the Highlanders host the Blues.
TAB Odds: Highlanders $1.64 Blues $2.21
Pre-game chat: James Parsons to notch century for Blues against Highlanders
Hooker James Parsons will join an elite club when the Blues take on the Highlanders at Eden Park on Saturday.
The 32-year-old will become the sixth Blues player to reach the 100-game milestone.
Making his debut in 2012, Parsons will become the franchise's joint fastest player to raise his century, joining fellow prop John Afoa in needing eight seasons to reach the mark.
The North Harbour stalwart admitted it wasn't initially on his list of playing goals, he was quietly pleased with the achievement.
"I'm pretty proud that I've managed to have a bit of stickability," said Parsons.
Fellow hooker and Blues legend Keven Mealamu - the team's most capped player - praised his successor's efforts.
"It is so great to see JP earn his 100th game for the Blues," said Mealamu.
"He is a professional in every sense, an awesome teammate and a great man as well. This is so well deserved for such a true Blues man."
There's just one change to the side that fell to the Chiefs, with All Blacks prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi shifting to the bench to take on an impact role. Sione Mafileo will don the number three jersey.
Coach Leon MacDonald wants his side to build on the kind of form that saw them win four-straight games, before last weekend's loss in Hamilton.
"We need to continue to raise our performances each and every week," said MacDonald. "Cherish our ball more and ensure we come out on the right side of the physical battle at the breakdown."
The Blues have never beaten the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Highlanders: 1-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2-Liam Coltman, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-Jackson Hemopo, 5-Tom Franklin, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-James Lentjes, 8-Elliot Dixon, 9-Kayne Hammington, 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Tevita Li, 12-Teihorangi Walden, 13-Patelesio Tomkinson, 14-Matt Faddes, 15-Ben Smith (cc)
Reserves: 16-Ash Dixon, 17-Ayden Johnstone, 18-Siate Tokolahi, 19-Josh Dickson, 20-Luke Whitelock (cc), 21-Aaron Smith, 22-Bryn Gatland, 23-Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
Blues: 1-Karl Tu'inukuafe, 2-James Parsons, 3-Siona Mafileo, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5-Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 6-Tom Robinson, 7-Dalton Papali'I, 8-Akira Ioane, 9-Jonathan Ruru, 10-Otere Black, 11-Rieko Ioane, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 13-TJ Faiane, 14-Caleb Clarke, 15-Melani Nanai
Reserves: 16-Leni Apisai, 17-Alex Hodgman, 18-Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19-Josh Goodhue, 20-Jed Brown, 21-Sam Nock, 22-Harry Plummer, 23-Matt Duffie
