The Blues have started their 2019 campaign with a comprehensive pre-season victory over the Chiefs in Kaikohe.
Without any star All Blacks it was a 19-year-old winger who was turning heads, as Caleb Clarke starred in the 43-10 thrashing with a hat-trick of tries.
The home side lead from the start after Clarke opened the scoring off the back on an Akira Ioane offload.
He scored again 25 minutes later before bagging his third 10 minutes into the second half.
Malani Nanai got into the action in the second half, diving over after a James Tucker break.
Tanielu Tele'a finished off a superb day for the Blues, scoring after a Mitchell Collins intercept to secure the 43-10 win.
In the other pre-season game on Saturday, the John Plumtree era at the Hurricanes began with a defeat - going down 34-19 to the Crusaders.
The hosts lead early after a Vince Aso try gave them a 7-5 lead.
The Crusaders then ran in four unanswered tries on either side of the break.
Du'Plessis Kirifi and Callum Harkin scored to bring the Hurricanes back into the match, but a Will Jordan try for the visitors three minutes from full-time sealed the deal for the two-time defending Super Rugby champions.
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