A stunning three-try performance from Highlanders loose forward Shannon Frizell has all but consigned the Blues to the Super Rugby wasteland for 2018, with his side winning a 34-16 bonus-point victory over Tana Umaga's battered Blues whose abysmal record against their Kiwi rivals continues unabated. They have now gone 15 matches winless against their conference rivals and have won just one of their last 26 against all other New Zealand sides.
With just two wins from eight matches, and 12 competition points, their season is all but over. It will require a miracle for them to climb into the playoff picture from here.