The Blues could be without marquee recruit Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for an extended period, after the midfielder suffered a shoulder injury during the 24-22 win over the Chiefs on Saturday.
Making just his second Super Rugby Pacific appearance since his conversion from rugby league, the former NRL superstar copped a heavy blow in the tackle just before halftime. He didn't return for the second half.
First-five Harry Plummer was also forced from the game with a shoulder injury, leaving coach Leon MacDonald bracing for bad news.
"There's a couple of injury worries with Harry and Roger both shoulders, so that's a bit tough," MacDonald said.
"They look relatively sore and serious so fingers crossed they're not too bad."
Both players will be sent for scans, with a diagnosis expected by the end of the weekend.
MacDonald admits he'd consigned himself to defeat, as pivot Bryn Gatland lined up a potentially game-winning penalty attempt at Eden Park.
The Blues seemed to have the contest wrapped up, until consecutive penalties with time expired put the Chiefs in the box seat to snatch another victory from the hosts' grasp.
Just a week after blowing a late lead against the Hurricanes, MacDonald was prepared for more heartache, only for former Blues back Gatland's shot from just under 40m to drift wide, securing the Blues win and allowing him to release a huge sigh of relief.
"I haven't seen him miss many," said MacDonald after the game. "I assumed it was as good as done, and there was a little bit of frustration we had let another one slip.
"It's sort of a hollow feeling when you win, but we'll take it because last week we didn't get that rub of the green.
"We'll take any win. It's a tough competition and we just want to make sure we do better next week."
A few minutes earlier, Blues fullback Stephen Perofeta had come up with a clutch kick of his own, slotting a sideline conversion after he'd set up wing Mark Telea's try.
The NPC Player of the Year was one of the Blues' best, constantly testing the Chiefs' defensive line, while Beauden Barrett looked sharp in his Super Rugby Pacific debut.
"It was a massive kick from Stevie," said MacDonald. "I thought he was fantastic at fullback, and it was nice for Beauden to get back into the jersey.
"He showed some nice composure, his little touches were nice, and his line kicks were fantastic. It's been a while since he donned the boots in anger and he'll be happy to get 40 minutes under his belt."
Overall, MacDonald was pleased with his side's shift, although he says discipline - particularly in late-game situations - will be a key focus over the next week.
"That was just our second game of the year, and we're still working some stuff out. There were some good periods where we defended for long phases and were able to shut them down and put some pressure on.
"Some of the work around our breakdown and defence we can be pretty happy with.
"Discipline ultimately cost us a little bit at the end of this game and kept them on the front foot which is something we have to address."
At the other end of the field, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan rued his side's missed opportunities to put the contest away and give Brad Weber's milestone 100th match the victory the All Blacks halfback deserved.
Weber was a stand-out for the Chiefs, scoring a brace of tries and terrorising the Blues' defence at the edge of the ruck.
"We did a lot of really good stuff, and were just a little bit inaccurate at crucial times when, had we capitalised on those, we might not have found ourselves in that situation.
"The most disappointing thing over and above losing was we weren’t able to get the 'W' for [Weber]. He has been an outstanding servant for Chiefs rugby. He had some great moments today.
"He mentioned a couple of dusty passes but he had a lot of ball in play time, especially in that first half, and it was his first decent hitout. His lungs probably caught up with him, but I couldn’t be prouder of the guy."
