Beauden Barrett spun a web around the Queensland Reds before limping off as the Blues inflicted a 45-26 win in Brad Thorn's last game as coach at Suncorp Stadium.
Consistency, especially against the top teams in Super Rugby Pacific, continues to elude the Blues, and things will be more challenging in Brisbane on Friday against a confident Reds team.
NSW Waratahs lock Hugh Sinclair believes a new-found training intensity inspired by Wallabies coach Eddie Jones can help the side make a late-season push.
The ACT Brumbies have dug deep to protect their perfect home record this Super Rugby Pacific season and return to second on the ladder with a 48-32 win over the Highlanders in Canberra.
The NSW Waratahs have regained the Weary Dunlop Shield and dealt Melbourne's Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes a potentially fatal blow with a spirited 38-20 comeback win in Sydney.
Moana Pasifika have been overrun in Wellington, where the Hurricanes scored their first try inside two minutes and added 10 more in a record 71-22 win, their eighth victory from 11 matches.
The Queensland Reds have broken their New Zealand hoodoo and ended the Chiefs' unbeaten season with a stunning Super Rugby Pacific upset in New Plymouth.
Circumstances, and the demands of Super Rugby Pacific, have not made life any easier for the Highlanders, who travel to Canberra to play the Brumbies on Sunday.
Noah Lolesio has sent a message to Wallabies coach Eddie Jones and five-eighth rival Carter Gordon as he helped the Brumbies to a thrilling 33-26 Super Rugby Pacific victory over the Melbourne Rebels.