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The Blues turned in their best performance of the season in beating the Brumbies 39-34 on Friday, with their forwards more effective at breakdown and in defence than they have been all year and their backs finally showing wonderful skill and flair.

"It was a must-win game and in that regard we’re really pleased with the bonus point win," head coach Pat Lam said on the Blues website after the game.

"We made it a little bit hard for ourselves by gifting the Brumbies a lot of points which was frustrating and we’ll look to address that before we head to the Waratahs," said Lam, ruing the five Matt Giteau penalties for the Brumbies which almost cost the Blues the game, but he added: "I thought the character and the attitude was good and we just need to keep replicating that every week to ensure that we can play the game that we want to play," .

Lam made special mention of Keven Mealamu reaching the remarkable milestone of 100 games for the Blues.

"Congratulations to Kevvie, it’s an outstanding effort," he told the Blues website.

"With the way the professional game is faster, stronger and bigger, for Kevvie to go 100 games in the position he plays and the way he plays his rugby is a huge testament to him and it’s a great celebration for him, his family and this team. We’re very proud of him."

And Lam was enthusiastic as well about the brilliant performance of outside centre Rene Ranger.

"He’s got X-factor; he’s been a real project because he’s a free spirit in the way he plays, but we’ve been doing a lot of work and Shane [Howarth] in particular [has worked with Ranger] on staying in the systems on attack and defence.

"We’ve been putting a big onus on all of those guys that he cannot be standing out there without any information and that’s the onus on Joe [Rokocoko], Ice [Isaia Toeava], Rudi [Wulf], Benson [Stanley] and Stevie [Brett]. If they’re talking to him the whole time and if he’s got a smile on his face then he’s happy."