Chiefs Manawa have maintained their perfect record in Super Rugby Aupiki, claiming a thrilling 50-33 victory over the Blues at North Harbour Stadium.
Unbeaten in their inaugural title victory last year, Chiefs Manawa made it two from two in 2023, running in seven tries and staving off a comeback from the Blues in the process.
Five tries came from the wingers, with a hat-trick to Mererangi Paul and double from Georgia Daals, while hookers Luka Connor and Grace Houpapa-Barrett also dotted down to score.
After taking a 31-7 lead into the break, Chiefs Manawa threatened to run away with the match - a repeat of last year's decider - before the Blues threatened a fightback in the second spell, outscoring their opposition in the last 40 minutes.
Two tries at the start of the second half closed the gap to 10 points at 31-21 in the Chiefs' favour, before the reigning champions hit back, and raised the half-century to complete victory.
Winger Jamie Kolose scored the Blues' only try of the opening half, and added another in the second, while both locks also got on the scoresheet, with two to Maana Vaipulu and another for Maiakawanakaulani Roos.
Victory keeps the Chiefs at the top of Super Rugby Aupiki, while the Blues are third - still waiting for their first win of the season after losing to Matatū last week.
Chiefs Manawa 50 (Connor, Daals 2, Paul 3, Houpapa-Barrett tries; Tubic 6 conversions; Tubic penalty)
Blues 33 (Kolose 2, Vaipulu 2, Roos tries; Demant 3, Cottrell 3 conversions)
Meanwhile, in Saturday's late game, Hurricanes Poua held on for their first win of the year, defeating Matatū 25-24 in Christchurch.
A week on from a convincing loss to Chiefs Manawa, Hurricanes Poua threatened to go 0-2 to open the season, and slipped to a 19-8 deficit at halftime.
But a second-half double to winger Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daily, and another from Black Ferns lock Joanah Ngan-Woo gave the Hurricanes a 25-19 lead heading into the final moments.
Matatū fullback Renee Holmes scored late for her second of the match to at the very least earn her side a bonus point.
But Holmes' missed conversion saw the Hurricanes held on to notch their first win of the new campaign, and move off the bottom of the table.
Hurricanes Poua 25 (Leti'I'iga, Stephens-Daly 2, Ngan-Woo tries; Dallinger conversion; Waterman penalty)
Matatū 24 (Reynolds, Holmes 2, Brooker tries; Holmes 2 conversions)
