Blues captain Dalton Papalii has hailed his team's collective effort, after a drought-breaking victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Eighteen years after their last win in the Garden City, Papalii became the first Blues captain since Xavier Rush to skipper his side to road victory over the Crusaders, putting in a Herculean effort in Friday night's 27-23 result.
The international flanker scored a vital try in the Blues effort, as well as producing four runs for 52 metres and 23 tackles without missing.
And clearly exhausted after his 80 minute performance, Papalii struggled to put into words just what the Blues' win meant to him and his side.
"For me, it was quite emotional out there [in] those last 10 minutes," Papalii told Sky Sport.
"The boys just dug deep. I couldn't have asked any more of my lads, coming down here and doing the job.
"All week, we said it was finals footy. The Crusaders have had the platform for so many years. To come down here and finally do the job, it's been truly special."
Included in Papalii's efforts was a trysaving tackle - in tandem with Rieko Ioane - to deny Dominic Gardiner in the 79th minute.
And with the score at 27-23 at the time of Papalii and Ioane's heroics, the pair can take credit for their roles in seeing the Blues home.
"I was a bit dizzy after the previous hit, but that's what it's all about," Papalii added. "You're never injured on defence, you just get back up and go again.
"We haven't won down here in years. For us to finally come down here and do the work, it's been a long time coming."
The victory takes the Blues top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings, courtesy of points differential over the Brumbies.
Friday's encounter was the Blues' last of the New Zealand stage of their schedule, with the competition to merge Kiwi and Australian conferences from next week.
The Blues begin their Australian phase against newcomers Fijian Drua at Eden Park next Saturday.
Join us at 4:30pm Saturday for live updates of the Chiefs v Moana Pasifika Super Rugby Pacific clash
