Cape Town - The Blues have added to the Highlanders Super Rugby woes with victory in their New Zealand derby match in Auckland on Friday.
The Blues won 29-18 after trailling 13-12 at half-time.
VIDEO: Blues v Highlanders highlights
The Blues scored four tries through flank Steven Luatua, prop Angus Ta'avao and scrumhalf Piri Weepu (2). Flyhalf Chris Noakes added two conversions and a penalty, while Baden Kerr added a conversion.
The Highlanders replied with tries by fullback Ben Smith and replacement centre Phil Burleigh. Flyhalf Colin Slade was on target with a conversion and two penalties.
The Blues picked up a full-house of five points for their victory and moved to second and fifth in the New Zealand Conference and Overall standings, respectively.
The Highlanders left empty-handed and remained bottom of both the NZ Conference and Overall log.
In next weekend's Round 9 action, the Blues host the Hurricanes in Auckland (Saturday, April 13 at 09:35), while the Highlanders will look to record their first win of the season against the Brumbies in Dunedin (Friday, April 12 at 09:35).
Teams:
Blues:
15. Charles Piutau, 14. Frank Halai, 13. Rene Ranger, 12. Jackson Willison, 11. George Moala, 10. Chris Noakes, 9. Piri Weepu, 8. Peter Saili, 7. Luke Braid, 6. Steven Luatua, 5. Ali Williams (captain), 4. Culum Retallick, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 2. James Parsons, 1. Tim Perry
Substitutes: 16. Keven Mealamu, 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18. Anthony Boric, 19. Brendon O'Connor, 20. Jamison Gibson-Park, 21. Baden Kerr, 22. Francis Saili
Highlanders:
15 Ben Smith, 14 Buxton Popoalii, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 John Hardie, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Chris King, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 Jamie Mackintosh
Substitutes: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Ma'afu Fia, 18 TJ Ioane, 19 Elliot Dixon, 20 Fumiaki Tanaka, 21 Lima Sopoaga, 22 Phil Burleigh
The Blues won 29-18 after trailling 13-12 at half-time.
VIDEO: Blues v Highlanders highlights
The Blues scored four tries through flank Steven Luatua, prop Angus Ta'avao and scrumhalf Piri Weepu (2). Flyhalf Chris Noakes added two conversions and a penalty, while Baden Kerr added a conversion.
The Highlanders replied with tries by fullback Ben Smith and replacement centre Phil Burleigh. Flyhalf Colin Slade was on target with a conversion and two penalties.
The Blues picked up a full-house of five points for their victory and moved to second and fifth in the New Zealand Conference and Overall standings, respectively.
The Highlanders left empty-handed and remained bottom of both the NZ Conference and Overall log.
In next weekend's Round 9 action, the Blues host the Hurricanes in Auckland (Saturday, April 13 at 09:35), while the Highlanders will look to record their first win of the season against the Brumbies in Dunedin (Friday, April 12 at 09:35).
Teams:
Blues:
15. Charles Piutau, 14. Frank Halai, 13. Rene Ranger, 12. Jackson Willison, 11. George Moala, 10. Chris Noakes, 9. Piri Weepu, 8. Peter Saili, 7. Luke Braid, 6. Steven Luatua, 5. Ali Williams (captain), 4. Culum Retallick, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 2. James Parsons, 1. Tim Perry
Substitutes: 16. Keven Mealamu, 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18. Anthony Boric, 19. Brendon O'Connor, 20. Jamison Gibson-Park, 21. Baden Kerr, 22. Francis Saili
Highlanders:
15 Ben Smith, 14 Buxton Popoalii, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 John Hardie, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Chris King, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 Jamie Mackintosh
Substitutes: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Ma'afu Fia, 18 TJ Ioane, 19 Elliot Dixon, 20 Fumiaki Tanaka, 21 Lima Sopoaga, 22 Phil Burleigh