Blues book last-four spot

Munro: Held up by the Waratahs defence

The Blues secured their place in the Super Rugby semi-finals with a convincing 26-13 victory over an injury-ravaged Waratahs.

The Blues, who will have to wait on the result from the Crusaders v Sharks game before finding out whether they will be travelling to the Reds or the Stormers, were never really troubled by the visitors from New South Wales.

Lachie Munro weighed in with 16 points (a try, three penalties and a conversion), with Ali Williams' try sealing the result and Luke McAlister adding a conversion and a penalty of his own.

"Play-off rugby is all about moving into the next part of the competition and we're doing that, so well done to the boys tonight," said Blues captain Keven Mealamu.

"It was never going to be pretty in finals football but it's about the result when you get this close.

"The Waratahs are a really good attacking side and they played really well around the rucks. We stepped up in the second half and looked after the ball a lot better so we kept them under pressure."

Disappointing

The Waratahs were always going to be up against it given their injury list, however they battled gamely and scored tries of their own through Tom Carter and Lachie Turner.

The Australians were without the likes of Tatafu Polota-Nau, Daniel Halangahu, Al Baxter and Luke Burgess joining Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell and Wycliff Palu - and the absences ultimately proved crucial.

"It was disappointing night for us," said captain Phil Waugh, who is retiring after 130 matches for the Waratahs.

"We put ourselves under a little bit of pressure playing in our own half midway through that first half and they accumulated points. We had our chances but we weren't good enough on the night.

"In finals football and in high-pressure games you have to play the game at the right end of the field and we played most of the game in our half."