Shorthanded Blues have rolled up their sleeves defensively to grind out a 38-11 win over Melbourne Rebels and now eye up a Super Rugby Pacific top-of-the-table clash against the Hurricanes next week.
Ahead only 12-11 at halftime, the Aucklanders held the home side scoreless over the second half, including 10 minutes with first-five Harry Plummer serving a yellow card, as their forwards took control of the contest.
Winger Mark Tele'a and lock Sam Darry both had try doubles, while their seventh straight win and the bonus point ensure they remain just one point adrift of their Wellington rivals.
Melbourne threatened early, as No.8 Rob Leota surged towards the tryline, but prop Taniela Tupou dropped the ball cold with the tryline beckoning to ease the danger.
The Blues could only clear to their 22 and a lineout penalty allowed Rebels first-five Carter Gordon to scuff his kick between the posts for the lead.
Their advantage was shortlived, as Tele'a scooped up a dropped pass near halfway and cantered away for an easy try.
Halfback Ryan Louwrens put the Rebels back in front, after their forwards stole a Blues throw to a defensive lineout, and they had a royal chance to increase their margin, when winger Lachie Anderson chased a kick ahead, but could not gather the bounce cleanly on the tryline.
Moments later, they re-entered the 22 and Gordon slotted another penalty.
From an attacking lineout, the Blues forwards piled on pressure and prop PJ Sheck burrowed against for a try in his first start for the Auckland franchise.
With halftime looming, Melbourne squandered another chance to score, but in the process, the Blues lost All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane, who looked heavily concussed, after attempting an awkward tackle.
Ahead just 12-11 at the break, the Blues went immediately on the attack from the restart and, after a series of penalties, Tele'a only had to beat Tupou for his second try, although the front-rower's presence probably limited the damage to just five points.
From the kickoff, winger Caleb Clarke dashed down the left sideline and back into the 22. The forwards continued to put their counterparts under the blowtorch and eventually captain Patrick Tuipulotu powered over, forcing the ball under a pile of bodies.
The Rebels were not burrowed and threatened, when Gordon kicked acrossfield for fullback Andrew Kellaway, but Clarke was able to defuse the threat.
First-five Harry Plummer copped a yellow card for an early tackle, as the Blues defence continued to scramble, but Melbourne flanker Vaiolii Ekuasi was held up over the tryline. From another lineout, prop Matt Gibbon lost the ball over the line.
Somehow, the Blues weathered the storm with just 14 men and won a clearing free-kick at a Rebels attacking scrum, as Plummer returned to the field. Melbourne lost more ground, as their rivals surged back into the 22, and Darry scored from close range to clinch victory for the Blues.
If there was any doubt, Darry put a cherry on top, with his second try in the dying seconds.
After scoring the gamewinning try after the siren against Queensland Reds last week, the Blues had passed another examination with flying colours.
"Terrible start from us," reflected Tuipulotu. "Melbourne played well, especially on the shortside, and we just couldn't really get any dominant tackles, which got us on the backfoot.
"We got a big rark-up at halftime and had a good look at ourselves. We managed to play a simple game up front, try to go through them and it worked for us in the end.
[Coach Vern Cotter] certainly had a bit to say about our mindset and attitude, and whether we wanted it or not. From there, we just tried to keep everyone positive and get some high energy into that second half."
The Blues will now host the Hurricanes next Saturday, knowing the team from the capital are the only side to defeat them so far this season.
Blues 38 (Tele'a 2, Darry 2, Sheck, Tuipulotu tries; Plummer 4 conversions) Melbourne Rebels 11 (Louwrens try; Gordon 2 penalties)
