Melbourne have edged the Highlanders 31-30 in their final round clash but the Kiwi team grabbed a bonus point to leapfrog the Western Force into the Super Rugby Pacific finals.
The Chiefs have clung to a rapidly diminishing lead to beat the Fijian Drua 35-24 in a thrilling match which allowed them to clinch a home quarter-final in Super Rugby Pacific.
Discipline under intense Brumbies' pressure proved the difference for the Blues with their competition-topping 21-19 last-minute win in Super Rugby Pacific in Canberra on Saturday.
The NSW Waratahs have shown they won't just be making up the numbers in the Super Rugby Pacific finals with a rousing 32-20 away win over the Highlanders.
Beauden Barrett has slotted a field goal after the fulltime siren for the Blues to steal a famous Super Rugby Pacific victory from the Brumbies in Canberra.
Substitute Lukas Ripley has scored a hat-trick of tries but it wasn't enough to keep the Melbourne Rebels' finals hopes alive in a 45-22 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington.
The Reds were cruelly denied a crucial bonus point but were still celebrating the end of a four-game Super Rugby losing run against Moana Pasifika in Brisbane.
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland believes the Rebels may not have had the results in 2022, but they are clicking now and will be a threat against the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby Pacific game in Wellington on Saturday.
With just two rounds remaining until the playoffs, round 14 provides an opportunity for teams to lock up a home playoff or confirm their spot in the top eight.
