Makeshift centre Rene Ranger set the Blues' Super 14 campaign alight with a wonderful individual display as the hosts edged out the Brumbies 39-34.

A tough, physical contest saw All Blacks blindside flanker Jerome Kaino in his element. Kaino, along with openside flanker Serge Lilo and Viliame Ma'afu, took part in a fascinating contest for dominance in the loose with the Australian international trio of George Smith, Stephen Hoiles and Rocky Elsom.

The Brumbies set up a nervy finish by scoring through replacement back Patrick Phibbs six minutes from full-time. Matt Giteau's conversion got the Brumbies to within two points at 36-34.

And it took a 78th-minute drop goal from Stephen Brett to secure the final advantage.

Blues captain Keven Mealamu could not have wished for a finer victory to celebrate his 100th match for the side.

But while the emotions were with the hooker, it was Ranger who stole the limelight.

For a player who came into the position only after a string of injuries ruled out the side's specialists, Ranger cast a mould for himself with a breathtaking display which saw him score one minute after half time in a never-say-die burst at the line which punished the Brumbies' inability to hold him in the tackle.

Then from the re-start deep in Blues territory he set in motion a move which moved the length of the field to incorporate the skills of Brett, wing Rudi Wulf and Benson Stanley who touched down to give his side the lead for the first time in the game, five minutes into the second half.

It was hard, athletic rugby and Ranger thrived in one of the most powerful individual displays in recent Blues history.

And memories of the halcyon days of Blues rugby were revived in the 14-minute assault at the start of the second spell which saw the side turn around the Brumbies' 16-10 half-time advantage to a 36-22 lead.

The bonus-point try, the second of the night to wing Joe Rokocoko, nine minutes after half-time was the result of another Blues' counter-attack which featured a sniping run by half-back Alby Mathewson, a quick pass to Lilo and a quickly-won ruck which allowed Brett to place a kick across to the corner where Rokocoko secured the catch to touch down.

The Brumbies landed a penalty goal, but they failed to hold the re-start kick and the Blues massed quickly to move the ball and from a ruck, Brett worked his magic by reverse-passing the ball to full-back Isaia Toeava and he charged through to score for Brett to add the conversion.

Continuing their plan to go for tries rather than penalty goals, the Brumbies got into the Blues' 22m area and from a ruck it was replacement prop Huia Edmonds who went over to pull the score back to 36-27.

The Brumbies were well-served by their midfield pair of Christian Lealifano and Tyrone Smith who several times made line-breaks which set up great ball for the fast-following loose forwards while full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper was constantly looking to probe the slightest openings.