Blues coach Leon MacDonald concedes their playoff chances are gone, following their heartbreaking and controversial 29-28 loss to the Reds in Brisbane on Friday night.
The Blues needed a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive going into next week's final round, and looked like they were on their way as they held a 16-point lead midway through the first half.
But the Reds battled back as Scott Higginbotham his second try in the 77th minute with Bryce Hegarty nailing the conversion, helping the Queensland side snap a 15-match losing streak against New Zealand opposition.
MacDonald was left frustrated though as a TMO review to deny a possible third try to Augustine Pulu midway through the second-half proved crucial.
Officials ruled the halfback failed to properly release the ball after being tackled before diving over the line when the Blues were leading by six points. If the try was given, the Auckland-based side could've pushed the lead out to 13 points.
"I have to pick my words carefully, but I just can't see why it wasn't a try," a frustrated Macdonald said. "The referee found a way, so yeah.
"It was a critical moment. We heard what the referees were discussing. We don't agree with it, but that's life."
MacDonald went onto say that World Rugby needs to clarify some of their rules, as referees' decisions are starting to have a big impact on games.
"The issue more lies with the number of rulings in the grey areas. There is so much going on for our referees to get right and I don't think we're getting it right at the moment.
"There are too many games where we're talking about the influence of the referees, and that shouldn't be the case in any sport. Maybe that is something World Rugby should look at over time."
The Blues now sit 13th in the standings, four points outside of the playoffs spots.
But five other teams (Lions, Rebels, Sharks, Waratahs and Stormers) are between 30 and 35 points and still have to play this weekend. If three of those teams win, the Blues would officially be out of contention.
Despite the decisions that went against the Blues, MacDonald said his side only have themselves to blame for blowing a commanding lead.
"Leading 21-5 up, we were looking pretty good, weren't we?
"We had good control of the ball, but from there we started falling off too many tackles and starting giving away penalties and the pressure started from there."
The Blues end their season with a match against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
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