AT A GLANCE

Big moment

Rieko Ioane’s intercept try 11 minutes into the second spell. The Drua were well in it at this stage, trailing 21-13 and attacking with ball in hand. But you have to watch your passing accuracy when Ioane is lurking and Simione Kuruvoli paid the price when he saw the Blues speedster swoop on his loose transfer and dash 70 metres for the 28-13 lead.

Match rating: 6/10

Credit to the Drua. They hung in this contest well, brought plenty to the occasion and mixed their trademark adventurous play with some more pragmatic stuff to really trouble the competition pacesetters. The Blues would not be happy with their part in proceedings. They had to absorb a lot of pressure from a side they should have despatched with ease.

The big picture

The Blues will have set themselves the goal of running the table in these trans-Tasman clashes, which should sew up the minor premiership, and that all-important home playoff advantage. One down five to go now. Next up are the Force in Perth next Friday, with the Auks set to bring back a swag of fresh types for that clash. The Drua host the Highlanders next Saturday in their first match in Suva, and will fancy their chances of an upset.

MVP

Blues wing Lam had a try and 95 metres on the run in the first half, and another 5-pointer in the second to have himself some sort of a day out. In a side short of standouts, he was excellent.

At AAMI Park, Melbourne: Blues 35 (AJ Lam 2 tries 5min, 65min, Sam Darry try 20min, Marcel Renata try 37min, Rieko Ioane try 51min; Beauden Barrett 5 con) Fijian Drua 18 (Mesulame Dolokoto try 8min, Onisi Ratave try 58min; Simione Kuruvoli 2 pen, con) HT: 21-10.

Yellow card: Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues) 69min.