The injury-stricken Waratahs had opened the scoring via a Tom Carter try in the left-hand corner, but the Blues soon assumed command of proceedings and led 13-8 at half-time.
The home side then finished the job in the second term, although the Waratahs gave themselves some hope with a Lachie Turner try in the 74th minute.
The defeat ended Phil Waugh's career in the sky blue jersey, the 31-year-old gallant in his 132nd and final Super Rugby match.
The Waratahs did score the first and last tries but the Blues otherwise dominated in front of a disappointing crowd of 16,100.
The Blues advance to the semi-finals and will likely meet Queensland in Brisbane on Saturday week.
Sadly befitting their misfortune in a season of struggle, the Waratahs suffered another serious injury with lock Kane Douglas badly damaging his ankle in a sickening second-half collision.
Missing nine regular starters - including Wallabies stars Tatafu Polota-Nau, Wycliff Palu, Drew Mitchell and Berrick Barnes - the Waratahs started as rank underdogs but aimed up in the first half and delivered some worrying moments for the home side.
But the barnstorming Polota-Nau was badly missed as reserve hooker John Ulugia struggled at the line-outs and the pack waned in the breakdown battle as the match wore on.
It brought the curtain down on captain Waugh's career and was the last Waratahs match for Rebels signing Kurtley Beale, Japan-bound Sosene Anesi, and France-bound pair Luke Burgess and Pat O'Connor.
Waugh was typically tenacious all night in the highly-physical affair but his poor choice around the hour mark to illegally pilfer at the back of a breakdown enabled Lachie Munro to kick his third penalty goal for the Blues to lead 16-8.
All Black lock Ali Williams then delivered the last rites with a 63rd minute try.
It looked like it would be tough for the Blues from the outset with Ulugia losing his side's first two line-outs with poor throws, Waugh being barrelled by Luke Braid and Beale kicking out on the full.
But the pendulum swung on a chargedown from Waugh that gave the visitors some valuable field position and centre pairing Ryan Cross and Carter eventually combined to deliver the first points in the 17th minute.
Carter produced a powerful sideline burst, too easily swatting off opposite number Luke McAlister in the process.
But McAlister quickly made amends and was an influential figure in the Blues taking their half-time advantage in a gripping first term which included three lead changes.
The All Blacks inside centre produced a deft chip for a long break by Jared Payne. From the ensuing line-out McAlister broke the defence out wide and offloaded for winger Munro to score.
Blues: 26 (L Munro, A Williams tries; L McAlister, L Munro conversions; L Munro 3, McAlister penalty goals)
Waratahs: 13 (T Carter, L Turner tries; K Beale penalty goal)
- AAP
Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, sydney-2000, new-zealand First posted June 24, 2011 19:15:00
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