The Blues have moved to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings with a shutout 25-0 win over the Chiefs at Hamilton on Saturday.
Riding a stoic defence and the brilliance of Beauden Barrett, the visitors shot to an early lead, negotiated some speed bumps of indiscipline, before closing out their sixth straight victory, adding a bonus point for good measure.
The Blues piled on the pressure to start the game, eventually opening the try-scoring through flanker Tom Robinson, who did well to twist in a tackle and place the ball back over his head between the posts.
Playing with a one-man advantage due to a tip tackle by Kaylum Boshier on Josh Goodhue, the Blues were able to extend that advantage to 13-0.
But cynical play saw them lose Luke Romano and Sam Nock to the sinbin in the space of a few minutes, allowing the Chiefs to launch a lengthy late raid on their tryline.
Only a spectacular defensive play by Mark Telea - knocking the ball free from Samisoni Taukei'aho's arms as he crossed the chalk - salvaged the Blues' 13-0 lead heading into halftime.
Six minutes into the second half, it appeared the Chiefs had finally got on the scoreboard, only for Etene Nanai-Seturo's try under the crossbar to be called back for an obstruction by Sam Cane.
The visitors then struck a telling blow, with Telea and Rieko Ioane combining on the counterattack to set up Barrett's pinpoint crossfield kick for Robinson to pounce on for his second try. Stephen Perofeta's sideline conversion pushed the lead out to 20-0 with 25 minutes to play.
More indiscipline soon cost the Blues, as Marcel Renata became the third Blues player to be shown a yellow card, opening the door for the Chiefs to pull back the deficit.
The Chiefs looked to have instantly taken advantage of their numerical advantage, when Etene nani-Seturo showed great strength to slide over in the corner under duress.
But video replays revealed the wing's elbow had marginally grazed the sideline before the ball was grounded and the on-field decision was reversed.
With five minutes to play, the Blues turned down a straightforward three points to chase the bonus point try, which they soon had courtesy of a mammoth wide ball by Barrett to an unmarked AJ Lam, putting the finishing touches on a comprehensive win.
The victory sets up a blockbuster clash against the second-placed Crusaders at Christchurch on Friday, while the Chiefs stay at home to face Moana Pasifika on Saturday.
Blues 25 (Tom Robinson 2 tries 16min, 53min, AJ Lam try 74min; Stephen Perofeta 2 con, 2 pen) Chiefs 0. HT: 13-0
