The Highlanders started well and led 27-12 at half-time at North Harbour Stadium on Thursday afternoon before the Blues gained more ball in the second half and won 45-34.
But Moore was far from glum about the loss and was pleased with the performance of his side.
"It was a better performance than last week and we went up another level. I was really happy with the way we played in the contact area. We were really aggressive in the breakdown and turned over some good ball," he said.
Moore said he was pleased with the attack, with the side scoring five tries, including four in the first half.
"Our attack went really well. We put a lot of pressure on them and managed to get in behind them quite a few times."
Auckland got more ball in the second half in the sweltering February heat and replacement first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth came on and revelled among the tired legs, scoring two tries and setting up another.
The Highlanders were in front with 10min to go but could not hold out the fast-finishing home side. The loss completes a hat trick of defeats in the pre-season for the Highlanders but results were not the No 1 priority for Moore.
Last year the side won both its pre-season games then lost its first six games in the Super 14.
Moore said there was work to be done in receiving kick-offs and the line-outs, where the Blues were very aggressive, but overall the side had taken a big step forward.
Highlanders first five-eighth Daniel Bowden had an excellent match, breaking the line and directing play around the field.
Inside him, captain Jimmy Cowan played well while Alando Soakai and Hayden Triggs got through plenty of work.
Midfield back Johnny Leota damaged rib cartilage and is expected to be out for a couple of weeks, while No 8 Steven Setephano has a groin problem, which is to be assessed over the weekend.
Moore said winger Fetu'u Vainikolo was probably only a 50-50 chance of playing against the Brumbies in the competition opener at Carisbrook next Friday night, while lock Ross Kennedy was to see a specialist about his injured calf.
Any decision on replacement players would be made next week.
