The Waratahs scored 38 points without reply in the first half as they cut loose in the rain to thrash the Reds in Sydney.
The Hurricanes still have an outside shot at the Super Rugby Aotearoa title but it was another miserable day for the Chiefs.
The Brumbies came unstuck in the rain at Leichhardt Oval, where the Rebels scored four first-half tries.
The influential Jordie Barrett has decided to stay in Wellington with the Hurricanes for another season.
Sunday's bonus-point win at Forsyth-Barr Stadium moved the Blues to 22 points, just two points adrift of Super Rugby leaders the Crusaders.
The Brumbies were victorious once again in Super Rugby AU, though left it late to see off the Reds in Canberra.
The Chiefs were unable to mark Aaron Cruden's 100th appearance with a victory as the Crusaders bounced back from losing to the Hurricanes.
After the scores were deadlocked at 20-20 after 80 minutes, Isi Naisarani's try sealed victory for the Rebels against Western Force.
Ben Smith and Aaron Cruden are the latest New Zealand World Cup winners to agree moves to Kobe Steelers.
Rob Simmons is on his way out of the Waratahs after agreeing a deal with ambitious Premiership club London Irish.
Highlanders CEO Roger Clark said the club are "extremely disappointed" by the conduct of some of their players last weekend.
Julian Savea has returned for a second spell with the Hurricanes following Ben Lam's departure.
All Blacks star Beauden Barrett impressed as the Blues withstood the Chiefs to end their run of back-to-back losses.
The Brumbies are the only team to have won every Super AU game after they were too strong for the Western Force.
A pulsating Super Rugby Aotearoa clash saw the Hurricanes survive a second-half onslaught to stun the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Mark Keohane, writing for IOL Sport. South Africans, get ready for a rugby future made for a greater viewing experience and one designed to...
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