The Highlanders have hammered the Blues 44-7 in their Super Rugby clash at Eden Park, running in seven tries to one.
The trouncing on a soggy night spoiled All Black hooker Keven Mealamu's final Super Rugby match for the Blues, after debuting way back in 2000.
Keven Mealamu bids farewell to the Blues faithful at Eden Park Photo: Photosport
Mealamu's played 175 Super games, but he might not want to remember this one - which, with only three wins since February, completes the worst season in the Blues' history.
And Mealamu isn't the only veteran All Black who's played his final game for the Blues - prop Tony Woodcock's confirmed he's going to retire after the World Cup.
The Highlanders will head into the playoffs brimful of confidence - the victory lifts the southern side up to fourth on the table and in line for a home quarter-final.
But the Chiefs can snatch back the spot with a big win on Saturday night over the top-ranked Hurricanes, who have already sewn up a home semi-final in the playoffs and may elect to rest a number of players.
Lima Sopoaga and the Highlanders were far too much for the Blues to handle Photo: Photosport
The Highlanders had only two of their three All Blacks back for their final round robin match.
All Blacks Aaron Smith and Ben Smith returned to the starting lineup in Auckland, after being rested along with Malakai Fekitoa for last week's loss to the Hurricanes.
But Fekitoa has a groin injury and missed the match.
All up Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph made 10 positional or personnel changes for the match.
The Highlanders were already guaranteed a place in the playoffs.
In Friday night's other game, the Western Force beat the Rebels 13-11 in Melbourne.
