The Blues ran in five tries to record a commanding 38-10 win over the Brumbies at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

With New Zealand clubs continuing to dominate the competition in round three, the unbeaten Blues are level with the Hurricanes, who flattened the Western Force 43-6 on Friday, with the Crusaders one point further back.

The Brumbies, who have emerged as the one Australian side capable of securing a win and who denied the Crusaders a vital bonus point, were leading 10-7 in the countdown to half time when the Blues turned the game with 10 points in under two minutes.

A penalty by Otere Black levelled the scores and from the kick-off Rieko Ioane made the initial break before feeding Finlay Christie, who beat five would-be defenders on a 35-metre run to the line.

‘That was a huge moment in the game. It was a real tight tussle and that win gave us momentum,’ Blues captain Tom Robinson said, adding he had always felt confident.

‘I asked the boys to bring intensity and attitude and we brought it.’

With flank Rob Valetini playing like a man possessed and Nic White keeping the ball ahead of his forwards, the Brumbies were not short of attacking opportunities in the opening stages.

But they let themselves down with multiple scrum penalties on the Blues’ put-in, which allowed the home side to work their way downfield for Kurt Eklund to score from a lineout drive.

The Brumbies’ first points came from a Noah Lolesio penalty and they took the lead with a converted try to Connal McInerney before the Blues wrested back control just before half time.

The Blues added converted tries to Bryce Heem, AJ Lam and TJ Faiane in the second half.

– AFP