Analysis: A top-of-the-table clash at Eden Park called for a change in approach for sports writer Patrick McKendry, who took a seat in the crowd rather than the press box.
About 10 minutes into this match between two Super Rugby Pacific heavyweights, as the Blues attacked the Hurricanes' line at the western end of Eden Park and the crowd squinted into the late afternoon sun, a man sitting nearby asked: "What team are the Blues?"
It would be the team wearing the blue-and-white heritage jersey being cheered by the majority of the crowd.
The team that ran on to the field second to quite the acclaim.
The team that Mark Tele'a and Hoskins Sotutu, two of the better performing Super Rugby players this season, consistently turn up for.
But, wait, maybe the confusion was understandable – allowing, too, for the fact the Hurricanes were wearing dark grey and black rather than their distinctive yellow kit.
Who are these guys, really?
Because this was a different sort of Blues team and performance – one far more representative of that heritage era jersey of the late 90s when they swept almost all before them and quickly became, in the early days of the competition, the most dominant team around.
This is not the team representative of the last decade or so, a team that promised so much and delivered so little. This appears a champion team.
There were clues. The Blues arrived with a 9-1 record this season – identical to the Hurricanes', but their only loss came at the hands of the Canes in Wellington – and, well, they appeared in pretty good shape ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific grand final at Eden Park in 2022, only to be handed a humiliating lesson by the Crusaders.
Champion teams have to not only operate in the face of adversity but embrace it. Remember when the constantly injury-hit Crusaders used to do that? This is what the Blues appeared to do last night.
There was no Rieko Ioane, who was out with concussion. Fullback Zarn Sullivan, who quickly proved the Hurricanes' pre-match predictions right by being the home side's most effective kicking option, limped off in the first half.
After a clinical early try replied in kind by the Hurricanes, attacking lineout throws went astray. Ball went loose. Akira Ioane went to the sinbin for a high cleanout on TJ Perenara.
Tele'a wasn't seeing enough ball and even Sotutu appeared to be well looked after by his loose forward opposites Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai and Brad Shields – all quality operators.
Harry Plummer's extraordinary cover tackle on the flying Ruben Love shifted momentum back to the Blues, but Josh Moorby's try in the corner – in front of us and the confused spectator – shifted it right back.
Brett Cameron missed the conversion but at 14-10 down rather than 14-5 it was a significant moment for the visitors, who had firepower in the form of in-form loose forwards Du'Plessis Kirifi and Devan Flanders to come.
Lakai's converted try after the break, which gave the Hurricanes the lead for the first time, would have done for previous Blues teams – but not this one. Perenara's influence grew. Jordie Barrett, a tall and threatening figure, lurked with intent.
And yet.
Tele'a scored his customary try – again, in front of us fortunate spectators – without being touched. Effortless, yes, apparently, but credit the pack who won the attacking lineout and put their opposites on the back foot, and Plummer's quick pass to the unmarked right wing.
The Hurricanes didn't take the lead again but they twice got to within one point and if ever there was a sequence that suggested this Blues team have the quality to go all the way this year it was when they defended 20-plus phases over the last three minutes to keep out what many in the ground may have thought was an inevitable try.
Their celebrations afterwards hinted at the significance of the achievement and were representative of the home crowd's relief, and, yes, perhaps disbelief too.
The Blues have a two-point lead at the top of the competition, are well on their way to staying at home for as long as they're in the playoffs, and thanks to an extraordinary collapse in the south are almost guaranteed to avoid the Crusaders.
That's who they are.
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