They ran away to record a 28-7 victory against Matatū — who put in a monster effort on defence — in an entertaining encounter in Nelson on Saturday.
It was a red-hot start in blistering conditions from both teams with everyone determined to keep the ball in hand.
That translated into an exhilarating game of what a top-of-the-table clash should be about.
The Blues had the majority of the possession in the opening 25 minutes, but Matatū’s defence held out the visitors any time they got a sniff.
Matatū had a couple of chances as well. They showed their ruck speed and quick transition committing to the breakdown, but handling errors let them down yet again.
Grace Brooker picked off the ball, and took off, but Matatū’s backline were pinged for being offside.
The Blues opted for touch, looking to get something from the opening quarter.
Blues hooker Atlanta Lolohea tucked in the back of the rolling maul, desperate to get on the board against her former team.
Nothing came from that play, but Matatū were penalised again 5m out and the Blues backed their dominant scrum.
Halfback Tara Tuner flicked it on to classy second five Sylvia Brunt, who dummied inside and went through basically untouched to score.
Brunt was not done there.
Five minutes later, the Blues built momentum and Matatū continued coughing up penalties in the danger zone.
Flanker Dajian Brown carried defenders and offloaded to Brunt, who cruised across for her second for the Blues to hold a 14-0 lead.
But Matatū finally found something to show for their intent.
They stole the lineout on their own 22 and went width-to-width when Amy du Plessis — who has been a standout all season — opened things up.
She drew two defenders to put fullback Kaea Nepia into space, who shrugged out of one tackle and selflessly offloaded to Hannah King to finish.
The home side trailed 14-7 at halftime.
Black Ferns captain Ruahei Demant hurt Matatū early in the second half. She found space as the Blues exited, and put the ball inside to Lolohea, who linked up with Demant again.
That started off a wonderful try when the ball found its way to the other side of the park and into the hands of winger Jamie Kolose.
She popped it inside to fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who used her footwork to catch Matatū’s defence standing still and soared over.
Matatū looked good when they had the ball and either made a break through the middle or got it to the edges.
But just basic errors and an inability to execute in the right areas left them with nothing to show for their efforts.
Matatū gave away consecutive penalties 5m out and Lolohea made her former team pay from a strong rolling maul and extended the Blues lead to 28-7.
Matatū had their best chance of the second half with 10 minutes to play.
They were camped on their line when the Blues knocked the ball down and then the Blues were straight over the ball to turn it over.
Otago Spirit players Tegan Hollows and Naomi Sopoaga made their debut off the bench.
Super Rugby Aupiki
The scores
Blues 28
Sylvia Brunt 2, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Atlanta Lolohea tries; Ruahei Demant 3 con, Krysten Cottrell con
Matatū 7
Hannah King try; King con.
Halftime: Blues 14-7.
