The Auckland Blues scored three brilliant tries early in a frantic second half to set up a thrilling 39-34 Super 14 win over the ACT Brumbies here Friday.

The Blues scored their third win from five games this season after overcoming a mistake-ridden first half performance that saw them go into the break 16-10 behind.

Blues captain Keven Mealamu celebrated his 100th game for the team in style, as their high risk attacking game proved effective against the steadier Brumbies.

"The boys played out of their skins today -- I was really proud of them," Mealamu said of the five try to three win.

"In that second half, we were able to keep the ball alive, which led to some tries for us."

Dangerous outside centre Rene Ranger starred as the Blues roared into the second half, scoring the first try just a minute after the restart.

Ranger took the ball wide, went down in a tackle but got up again, and shrugged off two more tackles to go over.

He figured again two minutes later, breaking downfield in a move that ended with a try to inside centre Benson Stanley.

The home crowd's excitement went up another notch after 49 minutes when All Black winger Joe Rokocoko latched onto a brilliant pinpoint cross-field kick by fly-half Stephen Brett to score his second.

Isaia Toeava -- another of the Blues' stars -- took their lead to 36-22 five minutes later, but the Brumbies struck back through two tries to replacements Huia Edwards and Patrick Phibbs, cutting their deficit to two points.

With the Brumbies desperately attacking in the final minutes, Brett eased the pressure with a 78th minute drop goal to give him a 14 point haul from the boot for the night.

The kicking of Brumbies fly-half Matt Giteau was even more impressive, keeping the visitors in contention with 19 points through two conversions and five penalties.

The first half was a more sedate affair, with the Brumbies dominating territory and doing a better job of retaining the ball and maintaining pressure than the error-ridden Blues.

The Australians struck first with a try to prop Salesi Ma'afu who dived over from a breakdown on the Blues line after a period of rising pressure that saw the Brumbies nearly drive over from a scrum.

Rokocoko hit back for the Blues after 22 minutes after Ranger broke through the defensive line to put the winger in the clear.

Giteau made the difference in the first spell, succeeding with every attempt at goal to land three penalties and a conversion.

AFP

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