Papali'i and Tuipulotu convinced Blues can continue to close out tight, gruelling matches

Blues forwards Dalton Papali'i and Patrick Tuipulotu are backing their side to continue their hot form after snapping an almost three-year winless drought against New Zealand Super Rugby sides last week.

The Blues broke a 19-game losing streak last Friday in Auckland when they edged the Highlanders 33-26.

Papali'i told reporters today that all 23 players in the Blues remained calm and showed patience in coming away with the win against the Highlanders.

"You could see in the 70th minute how well we were playing, you know the boys were still calm," said Papali'i.

"We have identified that the Blues are not usually strong in that last 20 minutes, but it goes to show that the experience coming off the bench and the boys starting, we are playing for the whole 80."

The Blues have found a new formula which has worked for them the last few weeks, opting to start several of their All Blacks players on the bench.

"We're not playing for 60, not playing for 50, we want to play for the whole 80 and we want to show that we're there."

Both Tuipulotu and Papali'i started on the bench in last Friday's game for the Blues, alongside with All Blacks props Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Karl Tu'inukuafe.

Tuipulotu went on to score the match winning try, but the Blues skipper puts down the winning effort to a complete team performance.

"For us it is pleasing that we had a strong bench coming on and for us on the field that we had cool, calm heads," said Tuipulpotu.

"And trust our drivers like Otere [Black] and our nines to finish the job and lead us around the park well.

"I think that feeling [positivity] was there from the start, unfortunately we haven't hit our straps at the start of the season.

"To see us do it on the weekend just gone and to see the growth, not only our coaching staff but the group we have here now, I think it is pretty pleasing."

Tuipulotu and Papali'i announced today that they have re-signed new NZ Rugby deals; with Tuipulotu signing on until 2020 and Papali’i signing on until 2022.

The Blues host the Stormers this Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland.