You might as well pencil it on your calendar now. Barring a calamitous run of misfortune, the Super 14 final on May 19 should see the Blues take on the Crusaders.

Following their stellar efforts this weekend, the first and second placed power-houses respectively have lengthened the gap between themselves and the chasing pack on the pitch.

The Blues dismantled the Cheetahs 26-8 on Friday, while the Crusaders hit overdrive, spanking the Force 53-0 in Christchurch in an ominous sign for their opposition heading into the business end of the season.

The Blues, on 38 points, six ahead of the Crusaders, face the Sharks at home next week, but still have a two-match South African sojourn ahead before finishing in Perth.

But the Auckland juggernaut show few signs of slowing down having registered their eighth win in nine games.

The Crusaders have an easier run towards the semifinals with two of their final four matches at home, and it would take some big upsets to unsettle the current standings and prevent the 1998 and 2003 finalists from meeting again in six weeks.

The Sharks catapulted to third place on 30 points after thumping a toothless Reds outfit 59-16, while the Force hang on to fourth spot with 25.

The mid-table is heavily congested with four teams, including the Chiefs and Highlanders, on 22 points with the former occupying fifth place courtesy of their 38-34 victory over the Highlanders in Queenstown in yesterday's 10-try fest.

However, the Chiefs could be overhauled if the Brumbies were to beat the Waratahs in their derby match late tonight (9.40pm NZT).

The Hurricanes had the bye to remain on 18 points in 12th.

At Eden Park, Blues centre Isaia Toeava, arguably the form No 13 in the competition, sparkled while the pack was menacing with flanker Daniel Braid and lock Ali Williams masterful.

With a top-four place already assured, one more victory should produce a deserved home semifinal for the 2003 champions.

Jade Stadium's likely to host its eighth semifinal after Robbie Deans' defending premiers walloped the Force giving his former All Blacks coaching partner a few headaches before playing the Chiefs on Saturday.

John Mitchell's men headed into the match ranked third, but left bruised and battered having conceded 50 points for the first time in their heaviest defeat in 22 matches.

Lock Ross Filipo led the carnage with three tries, the first New Zealand forward in Super rugby to bag a hat-trick as the pack accounted for seven of the eight tries.

While Filipo was outstanding, No 8 Mose Tuiali'i was also devastating and did no harm to his World Cup aspirations.

When the six-times champions are in this form, it usually leaves the opposition sweating, and it was fitting the demolition was the Crusaders' 100th win in Super rugby.

The Highlanders prospects were hampered at the Queenstown Events centre with lock James Ryan suffering a knee injury and he will have a scan on Tuesday.

Form halfback Jimmy Cowan and loose foward Craig Newby also limped off injured providing potentially more worries for coach Greg Cooper who has been hamstrung all season through injuries.

After an injury plagued opening 15 minutes, the Chiefs headed into halftime 17-15 ahead.

Then the fireworks were set off as defence took a back seat and running rugby ensued as gaps appeared all over the field.

The lead changed four times as both teams scored five tries apiece, but the superior goal-kicking of first-five eighth Stephen Donald in breezy conditions saw the Chiefs prevail.

All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivivatu showed his versatility, starring role fullback as he collected two tries.

After a barren opening eight rounds, tries were flowing thick and fast throughout round nine.

The Sharks increased the haul posting nine against the Reds while the Stormers beat the Lions 30-8.

The Bulls had a bye.