The Blues go into the final match of their season against fellow Super 14 rugby also-rans the Chiefs in Auckland tomorrow night with a strong sense of what might have been.
A win at Eden Park is likely to see the Blues finish just a few points shy of fourth place, a scenario that has skipper Keven Mealamu thinking back to turning points over the past three months.
"It's definitely disappointing we won't make the semis this year but it's a tough competition," he said.
"You can tell by the log jam at the top. It's a shame we haven't been able to pick up a couple more points, because I think that's going to be the difference in us missing out."
In particular, the All Blacks hooker identified three intercept tries the Blues conceded against the Hurricanes, the Crusaders and Waratahs, all of which swung the balance of those matches and led to defeats.
"I think we've played some really good football and we've improved as a team from where we were last year," he said.
"It's just the critical errors that have cost us some games. That's the difference between getting one point and four or five points."
While the result against the Chiefs will have no bearing on the composition of semifinals, Mealamu said pride, a local derby and signing off with a bang in front of their home fans would provide plenty of motivation for his team.
The Blues, who go into the match with a 6-6 win-loss record for the season, have now failed to make the playoffs in each of the past three years.
They have achieved the feat only once since their last Super rugby title in 2003.
However, coach Pat Lam believed his squad were in better shape looking ahead than they were 12 months ago at the end of his first season in charge, when there were questions over who would occupy key positions such as openside flanker, No 8, halfback and first five-eighth.
Among the recruits over the summer were first five-eighth Stephen Brett and halfback Alby Mathewson, from the Crusaders and Hurricanes respectively.
Mathewson, with one appearance for the All Blacks against Munster to his name, has put himself back in contention for international selection with his performances, while Lam described Brett's display in the 56-14 win over the Lions last weekend as the playmaker's best since his move.
Mathewson, who has signed for Auckland, is set to return for the Blues next year and Lam expected Brett to follow.
"Stevie has first option and he's indicated he wants to be back next year," he said. "He's enjoyed his time so that's really positive and a big step going forward."
Lam also noted that former All Blacks flanker Daniel Braid would be returning next season after a two-year stint with the Queensland Reds.
Elsewhere in the pack, the likes of props Charlie Faumuina and Tevita Mailau and loose forward Peter Saili would have the added experience of a second Super 14 campaign under their belt.
