It was a case of 'You win some, you lose some' for the Blues during their 55-21 DHL Super Rugby Pacific win over the Waratahs at Eden Park on Saturday.

Having welcomed back flanker Akira Ioane from injury, they then lost fullback Stephen Perofeta and prop Nepo Laulala to what coach Leon MacDonald described as 'significant' injuries.

Perofeta has had a severe shoulder injury before, and he felt the same should move, forcing him to leave the field, while Laulala had the front rowers' curse, a calf muscle injury.

While conditions were slippery with drizzle during the game, and the Waratahs down on experience with Australia Test players rested, MacDonald said the win was a case of 'job done' with the side doing enough when it mattered during the game.

"We were quite creative in the first half without being ruthless with our finishing, which was a little frustrating.

"We seemed to find plenty of space but weren't able to get that ball over the line.

Perofeta's injury opened the way for replacement, Zarn Sullivan, to seize his chance to impress in a performance MacDonald labelled outstanding.

"He's using everything he's got at the moment. He straightened the attack up, he's hard to tackle, and that left boot of his is priceless.

"He's also pretty brutal with his defence. He gave us direction with his hard-running on the edges, and kick started our attack at times."

MacDonald said they went into the game intending to use the ball and get their best ball carriers into the action.

"It was a bit greasier than we thought, and our handling wasn't quite as sharp as we would have liked, but we stuck at it, and once we got close to the line, we were patient and able to get over.

"We're still adventurous, still chancing our arm, and going to the edges. We were finding space which is one of our key goals. We didn't get it all right, but we're creating a lot, and I'd much rather be creating and needing to fine tune the finishing, than not creating at all."

Among those thriving in the tight is hooker Ricky Riccitelli, who scored two tries in the win. His mobility has given him an edge ahead of Kurt Eklund and Soane Vikena.

"He's getting big numbers in the tackle, carries and cleans, and his workrate has been outstanding. He's also been more physical in the contact area as well."

With a tough contest ahead in Fiji at the weekend, MacDonald was disappointed they suffered a relapse in their discipline that allowed the Waratahs chances to score two of their three tries. 

"It gives us something to talk about because we've got a big game against the Drua.

"It's as big as any game in this competition. They're unbeaten at home this year, and I'm assuming Mick Byrne, who's an ex-Blues coach, will be looking forward to it."