Super 14: George Smith signs off in style for bubbly ACT Brumbies

Fly-half Matt Toomua emerged the hero for the Brumbies, scoring a fourth try in the dying minutes to collect a vital bonus point that lifted the team into fourth place. The Brumbies will battle with the sixth-placed Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch next week for the right to a post-season berth in the season's final round.

"We made it hard for ourselves out there, in the last minute we scored the try but full credit to the boys, they stuck in there to the last minute," said Smith, who announced his retirement from international rugby earlier this year. "It's been a joy to run out here... Look, I'll miss the place but I've a lot of good memories from the place."

The Brumbies were the first to settle after a torrid opening, and they were rewarded for a series of forward drives when Rocky Elsom snatched the ball in a line-out, hit the ground running and pirouetted over the line at the 12th minute.

A sharp pick-and-go by skipper Stephen Hoiles set up Salesi Ma'afu for the Brumbies' second a few minutes later, the lock burrowing over from a ruck a metre out to make it 12-0.

The Highlanders fought back and kept the ball in the Brumbies' 22 for much of the remaining half but were denied on the goal-line twice and were unable to score until Israel Dagg's penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Toomua sliced through midfield to set up a chain of passes that ended with scrum-half Josh Valentine prancing over the line to extend the lead to 22-3 eight minutes after the break.

The Highlanders defended furiously, but Matt Giteau steered a penalty kick to touch with two minutes remaining, allowing the team to re-group for a final push. The Brumbies mauled to within a couple of metres from the line before Toomua swerved past a defender and planted their fourth, sparking thunderous cheers at Canberra Stadium.

The New South Wales Waratahs' bid to reach the play-offs is back on track with an emphatic 46-19 win over the Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton.

The Waratahs, facing a do-or-die battle after their woeful away loss to the Highlanders last week, scored seven tries and kept their opponents scoreless for an hour to lift themselves into third place with a round left to go. The Waratahs have a chance to seal a semi-final spot if they can win at home to the Wellington Hurricanes in the last round of matches next week.

Berrick Barnes' shift to fly-half after spending the last few weeks at inside centre proved a masterstroke, the Wallaby playmaker scoring a try in a 12-point game with two conversions and a penalty. Their other tries came from Drew Mitchell, Ben Mowen, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner and Damien Fitzpatrick.

The Chiefs replied with a try from Tim Nanai-Williams and two late scores from Jackson Willison.