The Blues cut loose against the Lions to win a hopelessly one-sided Super 14 rugby match 36-12 in Auckland on Friday.

The South Africans barely fired a shot against the error-prone hosts at Eden Park, crossing twice late against a Blues side who possessed the worst defensive record in the competition before the game.

Despite dominating all facets in the first half, the Blues led just 12-0 at half-time, not helped by a swag of handling errors on a slippery surface.

They improved after a half-time blast from coach Pat Lam and they powered in for four of their six tries, including two to winger Rudi Wulf, playing his first game of the campaign after overcoming a wrist injury.

The bonus point win lifts the Blues to fifth early in round nine and eyeballing a crucial match at the same venue in a week against the Highlanders.

Of concern is that the Blues' injury list appears to be growing, with All Blacks prop John Afoa hobbling off late while halves Chris Smylie and Tasesa Lavea were also replaced.

The 12th-placed Lions, who haven't won in New Zealand since 2001, were on the back foot from the start.

They lacked direction after losing captain and Springboks centre Jaque Fourie to injury after half an hour.

Their two bright points were brilliant consolation tries from winger Henno Mentz and reserve halfback Jano Vermaak although it was a far cry from last week's brave 36-29 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton.

"It was a big turnaround after the bye week," Blues captain Keven Mealamu said.

"We concentrated on the breakdown all week and really turned that around today.

"(The first-half handling was) Disappointing but we played in the right half of the field. Although we didn't score those points, it was good pressure to be putting on the opposition."

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