Super Rugby Aotearoa: Blues break Bombays bogey in victory over Chiefs

The Blues sit atop the Super Rugby Aotearoa points table, with a clinical 24-12 victory over the Chiefs in Hamilton.

After nine years of unsuccessful raids down State Highway One, the Auckland-based side broke their bogey, notching up just their second win over their archrivals during that period.

With two wins from two outings in the revamped NZ-based competition, the Blues will end the weekend ahead of the field, regardless of Sunday's result between the Hurricanes and Crusaders.

In light rain at FMG Stadium, the home side struck first, with fullback Damian McKenzie slot an early penalty, before the visitors stamped their authority on the contest.

From an attacking lineout, the Blues forwards laid seige on the Chiefs line and eventually No.8 Hoskins Sotutu burrowed under the defence for the opening try. His team never trailled from that point.

The rivals swapped penalties to halftime and beyond, with the Blues repeatedly offending at the breakdown and losing flanker Dalton Papalii to a yellow card just before the break. 

Leading 13-9 afer 40 minutes, they edged further ahead when fullback Beauden Barrett slotted an opportunistic drop goal and then his first penalty for his new team, before winger Mark Telea put the result beyond doubt with the Blues' second try.

Super Rugby Aotearoa: Blues break Bombays bogey in victory over Chiefs

Caleb Clarke made a break down the left and when the ball moved right, Telea had too much gas for the Chiefs defenders, diving over in the corner.

The home side's only answer was McKenzie's boot, which kept them in the hunt until midway through the second half, when the penalty count swung against them. 

The Blues will have a chance to consolidate their newfound standing, when they host the Highlanders at Eden Park next Saturday, while the Chiefs will try to snap their sudden losing streak agains three-time champions Crusaders next Sunday.

Blues 24 (Sotutu & Telea tries; Black conversion & 2 penalties, Barrett drop goal & penalty) Chiefs 12 (McKenzie 4 penalties)