Outgoing Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh pointed the finger at "dumb footy" after the Blues ruthlessly disposed of his 13-year career and NSW's brave 2011 Super Rugby campaign on Friday night.

The injury-ravaged Waratahs were once again brave and resilient but were no match for the powerful Aucklanders in the competition's first-ever elimination qualifier at a rain-sodden Eden Park.

They were beaten 26-13 and hardly in the contest in the second half as Blues set up camp in the outmuscled visitors' half.

As gutting as it was for an emotional Waugh and his team, NSW can't be ashamed of their performance in the highly-physical affair.

Even without nine regular starters due to their crippling injury crisis, the Waratahs looked the better side in the opening half-hour to lead 8-7 before the Blues grabbed control.

Although proud of the effort, Waugh lamented the costly turnovers which led to two Lachie Munro penalty goals for a 13-8 halftime deficit and their inability to win better field position.

Kurtley Beale was again among the Waratahs' best but he was hampered by a leg injury and failed to control the match like Blues playmakers Stephen Brett and Luke McAlister.

"It's a disappointing night for us really," Waugh said. "You can't question the guys character and effort, we just played not the smartest football tonight.

"We played some dumb footy and they played smart.

"We needed to play down their end a bit more and not put ourselves under as much pressure we did."

Waugh also rued not accumulating more points in the early stages to go along with centre Tom Carter's excellent 17th-minute try, fending off McAlister.

That proved a turning point as McAlister made amends, brilliantly laying on a try to winger Munro, who finished with a 16-point haul.

All Blacks lock Ali Williams was also a hero for the Blues, scoring the match-clinching try in the 63rd minute to send them into a likely semi-final against the Queensland Reds on July 2.

Sadly befitting their misfortune in a season of struggle, NSW suffered two more serious injuries with locks Kane Douglas and Sitaleki Timani both sustaining knee damage in the second half.

Among the nine regular starters sidelined, Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was the most sorely missed, replacement rake John Ulugia struggling badly at the lineout with four lost throws.

"We certainly had our fair share of injuries, that's no excuse, I think every team in the competition has had injuries but we've had more than most," Waugh said.

Waugh was typically tenacious all night in the highly-physical affair but his poor choice around the hour mark with a blatant illegal pilfer that allowed Munro to stretch the Blues lead to 16-8.

As well as finishing the former Test flanker's 132-match Super Rugby career, the Blues win meant it was also the last in a NSW jersey for Rebels signing Beale, Japan-bound Sosene Anesi, and France-bound pair Luke Burgess and Pat O'Connor.

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