Caleb Clarke in action against the Chiefs last season. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport
The Blues have blown their home advantage at Eden Park, winning 31-17 against the Chiefs, but missing out on a bonus point.
This was a win built on a strong forward effort - all the tries came from some committed attack near the line off set piece.
This is exactly what was missing last weekend and will be heartening for Blues fans that they managed to find it again before the play-offs.
Make no mistake, this was no mug Chiefs team and while the game petered out towards the end, posed a real challenge early on.
It means they finish number two and will host the Drua next weekend in the first quarterfinal; the Canes finish first and host the Rebels.
Look back at all the action with RNZ's live blog:
Team lists
Blues: 15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Mark Tele'a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Taufa Funaki, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali'i, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Bench: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Joshua Fusitu'a, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Cameron Suafoa, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Corey Evans, 23 Cole Forbes
Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Rameka Poihipi, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Jimmy Tupou, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 George Dyer, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Aidan Ross
Bench: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Sione Ahio, 19 Simon Parker, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Peniasi Malimali