The Blues served further notice they are a renewed Super Rugby force with a compelling 34-15 defeat of the Crusaders.
A dismal 2012 season is fast fading in the memory as the Blues unfurled a second flamboyant win at the start of their new campaign, outscoring the seven-time champion Crusaders five tries to none on Friday night.
It follows their 34-20 upset of the Hurricanes last weekend and provides further evidence that coach Sir John Kirwan has produced a young side capable of running more established outfits off their feet.
The Crusaders, who had a bye last weekend, had spoken of a desire to play more expansive rugby in 2013.
However, they were well and truly eclipsed in that department, relying on the boot of five-eighth Daniel Carter for all their points through five penalties.
A combative Blues forward pack laid the foundation for classy five-eighth Chris Noakes and his arsenal of exciting outside backs – led by centre Rene Ranger – to terrorise the visitors in front of a large Eden Park crowd.
As he did last week, right winger Frank Halai crossed for two tries, both late in the first half to push his team 20-12 clear at the break.
Steven Luatua opened their account in the 10th minutes after a marathon buildup of rucks and loop pass from halfback Piri Weepu while fellow flanker Daniel Braid snared the bonus-point try from close range with 21min remaining.
George Moala bagged their fifth with six minutes on the clock after brilliant fullback Charles Piutau snaffled a chip kick and sent the left winger clear for a 60m sprint to the line.
Another mixed night of goalkicking from Weepu didn’t hurt the Blues, who looked completely different from the troubled side who finished 12th last year under former coach Pat Lam.
The Crusaders were pedestrian in comparison, penalised heavily at the breakdown and guilty of drifting too much in attack.
Captain Kieran Read was impressive up front, along with debut lock Dominic Bird, an early replacement for All Black Luke Romano, who was replaced after suffering a rib injury.
