Israel Folau's milestone night ended on a sour note as the NSW Waratahs went down 32-29 to the Blues in a tense Super Rugby thriller in Auckland.

Wallabies star Folau scored one try and set up another to help the Waratahs claw back from 17-0 down on Saturday before they ultimately fell frustratingly short at Eden Park.

With his team trailing 22-21 midway through the second half, it was a loose pass from Folau that ultimately proved decisive, allowing Blues veteran Ma'a Nonu to charge 40m for his team's final try.

It was unfortunate for the world class fullback, who was a threat throughout and leapt in trademark style from a Bernard Foley cross-kick to open the Waratahs' scoring.

That was his 60th Super Rugby five-pointer, giving him the outright lead on the competition's all-time try-scoring list, one clear of former Blues flyer Doug Howlett.

Folau turned provider for winger Alex Newsome in the second half while their other tries went to flanker Will Miller and reserve halfback Jake Gordon.

However, it wasn't enough to make up for a mediocre start in which the Waratahs allowed the Blues to roll over the advantage line and rack up 17 points in 17 minutes.

Former All Blacks great Nonu threw the last pass for tries to Tom Robinson and Caleb Clarke and they were never headed from there as the Blues clocked up a 10th win over the New South Welshmen at Eden Park in 11 meetings.

Folau said there was enough to suggest the Waratahs can rediscover their winning touch when they face the Australian Conference-leading Melbourne Rebels after next week's bye.

"We shot ourselves in the foot by giving the Blues too much of a head start," he said.

"There are a whole lot of positives out of this game. When we found ourselves in attacking opportunities, we turned that into points."

Folau was humbled by the try-scoring record.

"It's a huge honour and a privilege to get that personal accolade.

"There's some great names along that list there. It's a team effort and without the team, those things wouldn't be possible."

Following last week's shock loss to the Sunwolves, the Waratahs have a 3-4 record but cling on to eighth place overall.

The Blues improve to 4-3, having notched four successive wins for the first time since 2011.

There were some standout figures in a visiting pack missing the rested Michael Hooper, with prop Harry Johnson-Holmes enhancing his reputation, along with loose forwards Michael Wells and Jack Dempsey.