The Blues finished with a flourish to beat the Chiefs 32-14 in an exhausting Super 14 rugby match in Auckland on Saturday night.

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 semi-final 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 15 minutes 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.

Wingers Joe Rokocoko and Anthony Tuitavake 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

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