The Blues have retained top spot in the Super Rugby Pacific standings with a comprehensive 47-13 rout of New Zealand rivals the Highlanders.
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Hooker Kurt Eklund scored a brace of tries, one in each half, for the Blues, who ran in seven in all on Saturday at Eden Park to snap the three-game winning streak of their rivals and cement their status as the team to beat in this year's competition.
Timoci Tavatavanawai's ninth-minute try was the only one he Highlanders scored.
The hosts led 21-13 at halftime and then outscored the side from Otago 26-0 in the second half in a clinical display from Vern Cotter's men.
Kade Banks touched down in the corner for his first Super Rugby Pacific try with Taufa Funaki and Caleb Clarke also crossing after the break.
Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Cole Forbes and Kade Banks were the other tryscorers in the whitewash while Harry Plummer slotted six conversions.
With Reuters & AAP.
Australian Associated Press
