It fell short of that status after the Chiefs established a commanding advantage on the scoreboard, thanks to a double from Ben Tameifuna and deserved tries to Tim Nanai-Williams and Tom Marshall. The Chiefs' defence then seemed content to soak up everything the Blues could throw.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, with only five points separating the sides at opposite ends of the New Zealand conference, parity was the prevailing theme in much of the action. Neither side were allowed to truly impose themselves for any extended length of time, with a pair of disruptive forward packs snaffling turnovers and winning penalties to break up any sustained period of possession.
Lolagi Visinia's try in the opening minutes was all the Blues' backs could muster until too late, not helped by Charles Piutau needing assistance from the field having suffered what looked a serious knee injury.
After having a hand in their first try, the Chiefs managed to contain the influence of Ma'a Nonu, immense in last week's win. But Simon Hickey created little inside of him as Gareth Anscombe was the more impressive of the Auckland pivots, directing his side's attack and creating Tameifuna's first with a smart dart for the line.
The Blues were winning the set piece battle.
The Chiefs were also missing too many tackles but, fortunately for the champs, their backline was easily the more clinical, with a stunning counter-attack late in the half taking them from one wing to the other and culminating in Nanai-Williams being released by Dwayne Sweeney.
Their seven-point halftime lead had an unexpected air given the way the Blues began the game, but the Chiefs started the second spell the strongest and Tameifuna burrowed over from close range for his second.
Having survived their first defensive test in a bid to hold on to their lead, the Chiefs' chances of achieving that were given a big boost by Marshall, set up by Nanai-Williams. George Moala's try, coming with Nanai-Williams in the sin bin, gave the Blues a bit of hope but that was in vain.
Scorers
Chiefs 32 (Tameifuna 2, Nanai-Williams, Marshall tries; Anscombe 3 cons, 2 pens) Blues 20 (Visinia, Moala tries; Hickey 2 cons, 2 pens). HT: 20-13.
- APNZ