At half time, the Queensland Reds looked like they might threaten another upset over the Blues after their barnstorming defeat of the Chiefs a week ago.
Having trailed by just three points at half time, down 17-14, the Reds were unable to keep pace with the visitors who skipped away with a dominant second half.
All told, it was a 45-26 win to the Auckland-based outfit.
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The Blues scored six tries and converted them all while the Reds notched four tries and three conversions.
Despite the high score, it was only in the 19th minute that the first try came courtesy of Zarn Sullivan.
The Reds bit back almost immediately with a special effort from Josh Flook, who juggled the ball on his way to crossing the chalk in the 23rd minute.
Beauden Barrett scored the second try for the Blues, finding space and receiving the ball off the back of a brilliant run by winger Mark Telea.
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Sef Fa’agase brought the Reds to within three points just shy of half time but it was all one-way traffic once the second half got underway.
The Blues put the nail in the coffin with two tries within 15 minutes of each other thanks to Patrick Tuipulotu and Harry Plummer.
Harry Wilson offered the Reds some hope, but Telea scored just three minutes later and Taufa Funaki did the same four minutes after that to put the result beyond any doubt.
Josh Flook juggles for first Reds try
Tom Lynagh scored a consolation try for the Reds, winding up 45-26 at the hooter.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for Reds playmaker Fraser McReight.
“Obviously we were there, and we started probably that first five minutes of that second half we actually got what we wanted to do but we weren’t able to execute; forcing silly errors, and not putting pressure on the defensive side of things that we wanted to do,” he told Stan Sport’s Morgan Turinui.
“They played really well and obviously they were able to skin us alive. I think we were right in it in that first half. Look at the score and then we came out we put pressure on and I think as the game went on and things went against us, we sort of went into our shell and we weren’t able to play the confident way we like to play and the passionate way we like to play.
“Disappointed. Really disappointing. Last home game and I don’t think the fans deserve that.”
Beauden Barrett’s brilliant vision sets up Blues try
Reds co-captain Liam McReight lamented errors at the ruck and an inability to back up the team’s “clinical attitude” showed in the team’s win over the Chiefs.
Outgoing coach Brad Thorn echoed that sentiment.
“Obviously it was tight there at half time,” he said.
“We had opportunities after half time. Errors hurt us and then you give them opportunities and they make the most of it.
“In the end there, some embarrassing errors. Yeah, disappointing.”
The loss keeps the Reds in seventh, although wins for the Western Force and Fijian Drua could drop the Queenslanders out of the top eight.
The Blues, meanwhile, sit fourth on the table with contests against the Hurricanes and Highlanders to come – both at home.
The Reds head to Dunedin for the second-to-last round of the regular season to face the Highlanders on May 26 before venturing to Suva for an all-important clash with the Fijian Drua.
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