.jpg){kind=small}
Three tries in the last 20 minutes saw the scoreline deservedly blow out as Auckland won a classic joust between northern neighbours who both harbour semifinal ambitions.
The score had fluctuated through the first three-quarters of the game but the speed throughout the fixture best suited the hosts, who boasted a superior and seemingly fitter pack of forwards.
Errors and missed tackles crept into the Chiefs game, exploited mercilessly by a Blues side who picked up a bonus point for scoring four tries to one.
Stoppages were few and some of New Zealand's best attacking backs had ample opportunity as the Experimental Law Variations induced a major impact at Eden Park.
A superior scrum and sustained work from forwards such captain Troy Flavell, flanker Jerome Kaino and prop John Afoa laid the foundation for the Blues although their backline lacked early fluidity.
However, magical touches became more common from transferred first five-eighth Nick Evans, who outplayed an uncertain Stephen Donald in the battle of the No 10s and eventually his pacy outside men began to gel.
Halfback Danny Lee, playing his first game for the Blues but his 50th Super rugby match at a fourth different franchise, gave his side the early lead with a cheeky try around the side of a ruck.
Two successful penalties to Donald handed the Chiefs the advantage inside 15min before Evans responded with one of his own.
Fullback Mils Muliaina gave the Chiefs an 11-8 halftime lead when he darted over for their only try after a sustained period of pressure.
The Blues reclaimed the lead and wouldn't relinquish it after Flavell crossed in the 51st minute. That try capped a remarkable period of play, flowing the full length of the field more than once.
Donald completed the Chiefs scoring with a penalty before the Blues' strong finish.
Winger Joe Rokocoko and replacement back Ben Atiga both scored tries off well-worked backline moves which emanated from scrums. Under the new laws, the defensive team must be 5m back from scrums, creating more attacking opportunity.
Notorious for their slow starts to the season, the Chiefs will want to turn things around at home next week to the New South Wales Waratahs.
The Blues will embark with confidence on a three-game trip to South Africa.
Result of the Super 14 rugby between the Blues and Chiefs at Eden Park in Auckland tonight:
Blues 32 (Danny Lee, Troy Flavell, Joe Rokocoko, Ben Atiga tries; Nick Evans 2 pen, 3 con) Chiefs 14 (Mils Muliaina try; Stephen Donald 3 pen). Halftime: Chiefs 11-8.
Blues: Isa Nacewa, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Nick Evans, Danny Lee, Nick Williams, Justin Collins, Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell (captain), Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Tom McCartney, Nick White, Anthony Boric, Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Taniela Moa, Ben Atiga, Rudi Wulf
Chiefs: Mils Muliaina, Sosene Anesi, Richard Kahui, Callum Bruce, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Jamie Nutbrown, Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kevin O'Neill, Jono Gibbes (captain), Ben Castle, Tom Willis, Simms Davison. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Ben May, Kristian Ormsby, Hayden Hopgood, Brendon Leonard/David Bason, Dwayne Sweeney, Lelia Masaga
Blues captain Troy Flavell was struggling for breath but managed a smile.
"It was an extremely fast game. As soon as those line breaks come along, it puts a lot of pressure on both teams," he told Sky Sports.
"I was happy in the second half, we played it a little bit tighter and stuck to our game plan more.
"We'll be better off for it, we've got a hard leg these next three weeks over in Africa and the guys can draw a lot of confidence from the win."
Chiefs captain Jono Gibbes gave an honest appraisal of the difference between the sides.
"They were more physical at the breakdown than us, they were more hungry, they got in there and dominated that collision area," he said.
"I thought they were a lot more patient with their kicking game, they were prepared to kick behind us and we just hung ourselves back there at times."
Gibbes described his team's 32 missed tackles as "a horrible stat".
