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.