A miserable season for the Blues has limped to a predictable conclusion tonight, with the Highlanders claiming a 44-7 victory at Eden Park.
With just three wins from 16 matches, it is the end of the worst season in the franchise's history.
Just as in their past two defeats here against the Hurricanes and Crusaders over the last fortnight, this was a bonus point loss in front of a small crowd with few surprises about the final result. The heaviest defeat of the season, it was a sad way for Keven Mealamu to bow out.
The match also signalled the end of Super Rugby for prop Tony Woodcock, who was unavailable due to a shoulder injury, plus several others, including, for the time being, fullback Charles Piutau, named for the match after his knee injury but a late scratching due to another mishap.
Apart from the first-half injury to loose forward John Hardie and second-half departure of wing Waisake Naholo with what looked like a knee problem, it all went to plan for the Highlanders, who leapfrogged the Chiefs into fourth on the table and have a good chance of retaining that spot and a home qualifier next weekend.
The Chiefs will remain in fifth at best unless they score five competition points and beat the Hurricanes by at least 36 points in New Plymouth tomorrow night.
The Blues conceded three tries in the first half to John Hardie, Shaun Treeby and Elliot Dixon, with Treeby's coming while teammate Josh Hohneck was in the sinbin for a shoulder charge, a foolish act from a player knocked out against the Crusaders not that long ago.
The numerical disadvantage made little difference to the Highlanders, though, who watched Ihaia West miss the penalty and went up the other end to score through midfielder Treeby, playing in his 50th match.
Quiet throughout, the Blues' supporters didn't make it to their feet until five minutes after halftime when Mealamu, playing in his 175th and final Super Rugby match, left the field. Players from both teams also applauded him.
The Highlanders were better in almost all facets - lineout, ball control and defence. They made fewer errors and ran the ball with better intent.
In other words, they looked like a team with a promising future in the playoffs rather than one 14th on the table with few ideas other than to tackle and doggedly run the ball back at the opposition.
Once Patrick Osborne scored the Highlanders' fourth try after 50 minutes as the rain began to sweep in from the west, the floodgates threaten to open. Dan Pryor and Joe Latta scored for the visitors, with Matt McGahan getting one back for the Blues.
Ben Smith had the final say for the Highlanders after a leaping assist from Osborne. A promising reply from the Blues ended in another mistake, and, mercifully, Angus Gardner blew the final whistle.
- by Patrick McKendry
Highlanders 44 (John Hardie, Shaun Treeby, Elliot Dixon, Patrick Osborne, Dan Pryor, Joe Latta tries; Lima Sopoaga pen, 2 cons) Blues 7 (Matt McGahan try; Ihaia West con) Halftime: 20-0
