The Blues are just one win away from equalling their own franchise record, eyeing a 12th straight triumph when they face the Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday.
After dropping the first game of the year in dramatic fashion, with a late collapse against the Hurricanes, the Blues have rallied this season to take out their last 11 consecutive matches.
The streak is one victory shy of the Blues' class of 1997, who won 12 straight games on their way to the Super 12 title.
And while modern Blues sides have fallen short of replicating the success of teams of yesteryear, this current group under coach Leon MacDonald are different.
This year's run only adds to what the Blues accomplished in 2021, winning Super Rugby Trans-Tasman to end an 18-year wait for a title.
Aside from equalling their own record, victory on Saturday night will also guarantee the Blues top spot in this year's round robin stage, and guarantee them home advantage for their entire finals run.
And with that confidence on board, captain Papalii identified the culture within the current team as a key driver of their on-field success.
"It's probably the culture we've built here," Papalii explained.
"When I first came in, it was a bit different to what it is now. Coming in every day, you're looking forward to it.
"You actually want to work for the boys around you. The boys have a lot of humour as well. We actually look forward to coming to work, that's the main thing, we're not dreading it.
"Winning is contagious. When we did get that streak, four or five games in a row, I think it gave a lot of belief to the boys.
"I think it's just contagious, and it goes to show. I think it's a massive credit to the coaches, even the leadership group as well, helping me out.
"There's such good synergy between each other."
But if the Blues are to equal that record, they'll have their work cut out for them, travelling to face the second-placed Brumbies away in Canberra in a top-of-the-table clash.
The Brumbies have already shown themselves to be Australia's team to beat this year, with victories over the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Chiefs.
Their three victories against New Zealand sides this year is already more than the entirety of Australian teams' success from last year's Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition, where they only won two games against Kiwi opposition.
What's more, the Brumbies will be looking to bounce back from defeat last week, falling 37-26 to the Crusaders at home.
But for Papalii, the Blues know exactly what they're up against, and aren't getting ahead of themselves.
"They're a structured team and they execute when they need to," he added.
"They build phases and they stack moments, it puts pressure on the other teams. You apply enough pressure, and they crack, then they get points.
"They're a bloody good team, and it's going to be an arm wrestle."
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