The Blues and Chiefs laid their Super 14 season to rest Saturday with the Blues signing off with a 30-20 win and wondering what might have been with more consistency.
There was nothing at stake with both sides out of contention for the play-offs, and the match was a far cry from last year's epic performance which resulted in a 63-24 victory to the Chiefs and produced 14 tries.
This time there were seven tries, five to the Blues who took the maximum five points from the game to ensure they will finish in the top half of the southern hemisphere rugby championship.
But although they finish equal on points with semi-final contenders Brumbies and Hurricanes, the Blues year will be marked by the nature of their six losses.
They were usually the cause of their own downfall, blowing hot and cold week from week, and their lows included going down to the lowly Cheetahs.
"It's a real bugger when you miss out on games like that and finish the season just outside the top four," said captain Keven Mealamu in trying to explain his side's inconsistencies.
"It's just unfortunate we couldn't go all the way and at least make the semis. It's about who's right on the day."
Given the chance to go out on a high -- and to impress the selectors before the All Blacks squad is named for the June Tests against Ireland and Wales -- the Blues again started with the poor ball retention that has marked their year.
The game was only two minutes old when they butchered a try, with Rene Ranger misdirecting a pass in a four-on-one situation inside the Chiefs 22.
Flyhalf Stephen Brett then missed a penalty in front of the posts and the game was 25 minutes old before the scoring drought was broken, with Paul Williams diving over in the corner.
Brett made amends for his earlier miss by converting from the sideline but his luck deserted him again when Benson Stanley scored as the Blues took advantage of the Chiefs being a man down after Colin Bourke was sin-binned.
Trent Renata, in his second Super 14 appearance because of the Chiefs high injury toll, landed two penalties and the Blues were ahead 12-6 at half-time.
Alby Mathewson opened the Blues account in the second half and Rudi Wulf touched down twice, while Liam Messam and Save Tokula scored for the Chiefs.
Tokula's try on full-time brought an end to the game and it could not have come quick enough for Chiefs coach Stu Forster, whose side won their first three games of the year, all on the road, and went downhill from there.
The beaten finalists from last year managed only one more victory as they finished the year with four wins, a draw and eight defeats.
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