KEY POINTS:
Catch us if you can was the clear message delivered by the Blues to their Super 14 rugby rivals tonight as they swatted aside the Lions 41-14 at Eden Park in Auckland.
The competition leaders were in ominously good form to score six tries to two against a
team who entered the match third on the standings after winning four of five games.
The Lions were barely in the contest and the match was done and dusted by halftime when the Blues led 34-7.
Their bonus-point fourth try came up in just the 31st minute as the Blues exhibited a feared potency from the breakdown.
Flanker Daniel Braid was everywhere while the big men such as captain Troy Flavell and No 8 Nick Williams imposed themselves seemingly at will to set the foundations for the Blues' effervescent backs.
The home fans had to wait just three minutes to cheer when first five-eighth David Holwell scored a try after Williams had charged through almost the entire Lions forward pack following a free kick in the midfield.
Just another three minutes elapsed before wing Rudi Wulf was gifted an unimpeded run to the tryline after silky centre Isaia Toeava slipped his man.
A penalty to Holwell lifted the Blues' advantage to 15-0 after nine minutes although their progress was stalled for a time when fullback Ben Atiga spilled a high cross kick into the in-goal area from Andre Pretorious to present Louis Ludik with a simple try.
The Lions enjoyed their best spell midway through the first half before the Blues reasserted themselves, as tries to wing Doug Howlett, Atiga and then Braid left them buzzing entering the dressing room at halftime.
The Blues, and the match, lost their shape in the third quarter as handling errors and inaccuracies began littering their work but spectators were finally jolted upright in the 70th minute when a breakout enabled Howlett to show his pace and score his second try.
That lifted his career tally in Super rugby to 57, equalling the record of Australian Joe Roff.
The Lions scored a consolation try in the final minute when replacement hooker Ethienne Reynecke was driven over the line from a lineout.
Blues 41 (Doug Howlett 2, David Holwell, Rudi Wulf, Ben Atiga, Daniel Braid tries; Holwell pen, 4 con) Lions 14 (Louis Ludik, Ethienne Reynecke tries; Andre Pretorius con, Earl Rose con). Halftime: 34-7.
- NZPA