Remaining positive was not an issue for the Hurricanes, and they were looking to take some momentum out of Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific game with the Crusaders in Wellington to cause some damage in the playoffs.
Mutual respect between competing Highlanders halfbacks Aaron Smith and Folau Fakatava was central to the hopes of creating an ongoing legacy for the side in their position.
Individual brilliance through four tries scored by wing Mark Telea was enough for the Blues to beat the Hurricanes, but it wouldn't be enough to win Super Rugby Pacific playoff games.
The Brumbies have plenty of work to do if they are to make an impact in the Super Rugby Pacific finals with their chances of a top-two finish over after a 31-21 loss to the Chiefs.
Winger Mark Telea scored four tries for the Blues who beat the Wellington-based Hurricanes 36-25 to stiffen their challenge for a Super Rugby Pacific top-four place.
Melbourne have put a major dent in the Western Force's Super Rugby Pacific finals aspirations and farewelled Rebels stalwart Reece Hodge from AAMI Park as a winner with a thumping 52-14 victory.
A last-minute try has robbed the Queensland Reds of just their second win in 27 years in Dunedin and left the injury-hit side in grave danger of missing the Super Rugby Pacific finals.
Building on their effort against the Reds last week when playing the Hurricanes at Eden Park on Saturday is driving the Blues in their Super Rugby Pacific game.
ACT Brumbies lock Nick Frost believes the side is putting any distraction of a potential home quarter-final behind them as they prepare for a blockbuster match against the Chiefs.
There are two rounds remaining in the Super Rugby Pacific regular season and there are only six points separating 8th and 11th as the fight intensifies for the final playoff spot.
Getting rare time together on their two-week Australian visit was just the tonic for a Chiefs team that showed some frayed edges in beating the Hurricanes 23-12 in their Super Rugby Pacific game in Hamilton.
Young fullback Max Jorgensen has shown his playmaking skills as the.NSW Waratahs maintained their late season Super Rugby Pacific surge with a 32-18 home win over Fijian Drua in Sydney.