All Blues in Auckland
Blues narrowly overcame the Highlander's defense to clinch a heroic 23-15 win to crown the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in front of a crowd of 36 000 at Eden Park
Ojiambo Kevin 
This becomes the fourth title for the Blues and the first since 2003 to break an 18-year drought.
The men from Auckland dominated territory and possession while the Highlanders were all about defense.
It was all Highlanders at the start of the match after they were awarded a penalty right in front for hands in the ruck and decided to go for the points. The Blues responded with vigorous attack forcing the opponent to cause an error that led to a scram which saw Mark Telea's crossfield kick to the far side lead to their first try from a superb run by Otere Black in the corner.
The Blues immediately turned out to be the better team of the night, dominating the Highlanders and things turned too worse for the visitors when Ash Dixon was shown a yellow card for a high tackle and the home side chose to go for three points from the resultant to extend their lead.
Minutes later the Blue's dangerous attack was again paid off by the visitor's errors and were awarded another penalty for dangerous play by Jona Nareki when he tackled Hunt in the air as he jumped for a high ball and decided to go for the points.
Leading 13-6, the Blues were not done as they came on the second half on high but the Highlanders stuck to their defense plan and managed to surprise the Blues in the 51st minute with a rare attack that led to a penalty which saw Hunt obliging bring them back to within four.
The visitors continued to gain the momentum and minutes later they managed to get another penalty inside the Blues' territory which Hunt kicked over to make it a one-point ballgame.
The Highlander's fighting spirit saw them get another penalty and up-stepped Josh Ioane on this occasion to take the kick at goal, making no mistake to give the Highlanders the lead for the first time since the start of the match.
The home team immediately produced a desperate response with a three-point after the Highlanders infringed inside their own territory from the kick-off for the lead.
Hell broke loose for the visitors and despite their superb defense, they could not stop Hoskins Sotutu who in the 80th minute pounced to steal the ball at the breakdown before bursting through several defenders and offloading to Jonathan Ruru, who passed it to Blake Gibson for the try.
This took the Blues 8 points clear and time was neither on the away team for a response. A perfect way to end their 18 years trophy drought.
