The Blues have begun their Super Rugby season with a come from behind 24-22 win over the Crusaders in Auckland.
Led by their inspirational skipper Keven Mealamu the Blues scored three unanswered tries in the second half after the Crusaders scored two in the first to lead 19-6 at the break.
The seven times champions could have been a further 10 points ahead if Dan Carter hadn't missed two penalties and failed to convert tries from Sean Maitland and Andy Ellis.
The Blues hit back with the try of the match early in the second half when winger Rene Ranger broke clear to put Benson Stanley over.
Then intense forward pressure was rewarded with tries to prop Tony Woodcock and the match winner to Mealamu.
The Blues leave for South Africa today to play the Sharks in Durban in a week.
