Super Rugby: Blues defeat leaves Waratahs on the brink

The Blues ended their season in style with back-to-back wins over Australian sides

The Waratahs slumped to a 34-28 defeat against the Blues but maintain a slim chance of reaching the quarter-finals after earning a losing bonus point.

The Tahs were outscored five tries to four at Eden Park as the Blues staunchly defended their lead, bouncing back whenever the visitors looked like reeling them in.

The Waratahs entered the match level with the Brumbies on 39 points at the top of the Australian Conference and desperate to claw ahead of their rivals.

The Australian Conference winner qualifies for the quarter-finals but the season will be over for the runner-up, with final placings decided when the Brumbies play the Western Force on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 10.30am.

The loss means the Waratahs, the 2014 champions, need the Force to spring a massive upset against the Brumbies.

"You never know, stranger things have happened. We'll wait and see," said Waratahs captain Michael Hooper.

Wet conditions hampered the Waratahs' preferred running rugby style and they initially struggled with turnovers and knock-ons but built pressure through the forwards.

They were rewarded with a penalty try in the 22nd minute after their dominant scrum drew a string of infringements from the Blues.

Israel Folau is tackled by Blues full-back Melani Nanai

But the Aucklanders hit back four minutes later when Patrick Tuipulotu latched onto Tevita Li's pass and crashed over in the corner.

The Blues then took a 12-7 lead with a penalty try of their own when the Waratahs collapsed a driving maul as the Blues were bearing down on the line and poised to score.

Referee Mike Fraser awarded the third penalty try of the match early in the second half, this time to the Waratahs after more scrum woes for the Blues.

English centre Piers Francis (middle) is congratulated after scoring the Blues' second try

But they were able to hit back again almost immediately when English centre Piers Francis went on a jinking run and weaved past five tacklers before touching down.

A Francis penalty extended the Blues' lead to 22-14 and they looked like running away with the game until Israel Folau burst into open space for the Waratahs' third try.

The tit-for-tat scoring continued with Malani Nanai adding a fourth for the Blues, then Angus Ta'avao doing the same for the Waratahs.

George Moala finally sealed it for the Blues in the 76th minute after the Waratahs' defence was stretched by a lineout drive.