The Blues have done enough to beat a depleted Jaguares 24-16 in an untidy Super Rugby match in Auckland.
The home side scored both of their tries in the first half before relying on the boot of five-eighth Ihaia West, who collected 19 points, to keep their nose in front at QBE Stadium in Albany on Saturday.
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West guides Blues past Jaguares in North Harbour
Blues fly half Ihaia West scored 19 points as the Jaguares' first game in New Zealand saw them lose 24-16.
Playing their first game in New Zealand, the Argentines made much of the play in the first spell and scored the only second-half try through reserve halfback Gonzalo Bertranou but they couldn't prevent a fourth straight loss.
The Jaguares' cause wasn't helped by fielding a weakened team, choosing to leave 10 of their top players at home to rest, comprising mainly of Pumas internationals such as their inspirational captain Agustin Creevy.
![Handy haul: Ihaia West.](/web/20160819025921im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/b/6/g/q/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gnwwni.png/1459596438256.jpg)
The Blues, who hadn't won since the opening round, capitalised with a stuttering performance to lift their record to two wins, a draw and two losses. They remain the last-placed team in the powerful New Zealand conference.
Early ill-discipline from the Blues proved costly.
Jaguares five-eighth Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias kick two penalties and the Blues were reduced to 14 men when winger Tevita Li was shown a yellow card after referee Mike Fraser had issued a team warning for repeated infringements.
It seemed to galvanise the home side, who set up a slick try to No.8 Steven Luatua off a brilliant pass from hooker James Parsons, standing in as captain for the injured Jerome Kaino.
The Blues powered 15-6 ahead by the break thanks to the first of four penalties to West and the conversion of his own try, set up by a freakish Rene Ranger offload.
Iglesias and West traded penalties throughout a second half which lacked fluency.
Blues prop Nic Mayhew appeared to be the game's major casualty, assisted off in the second half with a serious-looking knee injury.
AAP
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