Nick Evans' return rejuvenated the Otago Highlanders, but Isea Toeava was the two-try hero as the Auckland Blues beat the them 28-9 in Auckland to move to the top of the Super 14 table.

The Blues' victory  opened Week Five of the competition and also won them the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy, named in honour of a man who coached both teams.

The return of playmaker Evans completely transformed the Highlanders' backline, which looked dangerous for most of the first half.  Evans landed two early penalties, Blues' second five Luke McAlister booting the only other score before the break. As the half ended, Highlanders' wing Craig Claire went down with a severe ankle injury and did not return for the second half.

With the momentum building for the Blues, they crossed the Highlanders' line just two minutes after the restart, centre Isea Toeava completing the move. Evans restored the Highlanders' lead with a penalty goal seven minutes later, only for McAlister to reply with two further penalties.

Toeava scored his second try in the 65th minute, rounding off a well-worked backline move. McAlister's conversion put the match beyond reach of the tiring Highlanders and Blues captain Troy Flavell touched down four minutes later after No.8 Jarome Kaino barged his way through some ineffective tackling. McAlister again converted.

The Highlanders played bravely against a far superior opposition and can take a lot of encouragement from their early forward dominance and excellent defence. But making over 100 tackles exhausted the players  and they were unable to make any real attacking raids in the second half. The play of Evans must surely be an encouraging sign for the struggling Highlanders, whose backline has up to now lacked a true game breaker.