Hooker Kurt Eklund has grabbed a try double to help the Blues retain their spot atop the Super Rugby Pacific table, with a 47-13 win over the Highlanders at Eden Park.
After snatching the competition lead off the Hurricanes last week, the Auckland side showed why they have become the team to beat in this year's campaign, piling on 34 unanswered points and hold their opponents scoreless through the second half.
"In that first half, we were just going head to head and eventually, in the second half, we talked about really nailing our roles and stop giving away stupid penalties," reflected Blues captain Dalton Papali'i.
"Once we did that, we started to get momentum and we can put teams to the sword. We knew they were going to play fast and we just had to match it."
Handed a rare start this season, Eklund scored both his tries from patented lineout drives, diving over at the back of a dominant forward pack.
Another of the seven tries fell to debutant winger Kade Banks, who was elevated to the starting XV, when midfielder Bryce Heem dropped out before kickoff.
The long-awaited return of All Blacks first-five Stephen Perofeta, originally named on the bench, was also delayed, after he felt aggravation of his shoulder injury at training. Prop Marcel Renata, scheduled for his 50th appearance for the Blues, was also scratched.
The bonus-point win sees the Blues open a three-point margin over the Hurricanes at the top of the competition, with two games remaining - the champion Crusaders at Christchurch next Saturday and the Chiefs at home the following week.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders remain inside the top-eight playoff reckoning, eight points clear of ninth-placed Western Force, who face NSW Waratahs later Saturday.
Blues 47 (Eklund 2, Tu'ungafasi, Forbes, Banks, Funaki, Clarke tries; Plummer 6 conversions) Highlanders 13 (Tavatavanawai try; Millar conversion & 2 penalties)
