The Queensland Reds have surged into the Super 12 top four after an exciting 33-22 victory against the Highlanders at Ballymore.

They missed the crucial fourth try for a bonus point, but they sneak into fourth spot on 28 points thanks to a superior for-and-against average over the Chiefs, who also have 28 points. The victory continued a triumphant weekend for Australian sides over their New Zealand counterparts after the Brumbies and Waratahs defeated the Blues and Crusaders respectively.

It sets up an exciting final weekend of fixtures with the Chiefs meeting the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night, while the Reds meet traditional rivals the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night.

To make the equation even more difficult, the Highlanders, Stormers and Hurricanes still have a chance to make the final four from 25 points. And even optimistic Waratahs supporters will not have given up yet with their side on 24 points.

With the full house sign up at Ballymore, the Reds had an outstanding first-half, as they did against the Cats the previous week, to lead 17-7 at the break. But as they also did against the Cats, the Reds fell off the pace in the second-half to let the Highlanders back in the game, which set up an exciting final 20 minutes.

But each time the Highlanders threatened to take the lead the sure boot of Reds flyhalf Elton Flatley kept his side in front. Flatley, who celebrates his 25th birthday on Monday, had a perfect day with three conversions and four penalties for a personal haul of 18 points to follow his 22 against the Cats.

The Reds opened the scoring in the fifth minute after No.8 Toutai Kefu dummied on halfway. Hooker Michael Foley did superbly to stay in support after the 30m bust and he offloaded to fullback Chris Latham to cross out wide. Flatley converted and the Reds were threatening again two minutes later when winger Ben Tune broke down his sideline but the normally speedy Wallaby was showing the effects of a long lay-off and was easily caught.

However, the Reds continued to maintain the pressure in the Highlanders' quarter and Latham was over again six minutes later after winger Nathan Williams had done well to create the extra man. Flatley's sideline conversion bounced off the uprights, but it was still good enough to give his side a 14-0 lead after 13 minutes.

That was extended to 17-0 when Flatley converted the first penalty of the game after 20 minutes.

Flyhalf Tony Brown had two chances to put the Highlanders on the board in the 30th minute, but missed both penalty shots. However his side was starting to dominate and after a slow start it was form halfback Byron Kelleher who was making an impact.

It was Kelleher's quick thinking that sparked the Highlanders' opening try in the 38th minute. He took a quick tap from a penalty on halfway and in a superb team movement that went from both sides of the field, it was lock Simon Maling who reduced the lead with a converted try to 17-7 just prior to half-time.

The Reds again started the second half like that did the first to dominate early and after the video referee called a 5m scrum after Queensland had mauled it over the Highlanders' line, the Reds settled for a penalty to extend the lead to 20-7.

Brown reduced it to 20-10 soon after and that was all the spark the Highlanders needed as they proceeded to dominate the game in territory and possession. A cracking finish was ensured when winger Aisea Tuilevu crossed out wide in the 50th minute with Brown's sideline conversion reducing Queensland's lead to three points.

The Reds defence had to work overtime with Latham and Flatley pulling off try-saving tackles on Brendan Laney and John Blaikie. The effort cost the Reds dearly as Latham, again enjoying a superb game, was forced off with a shoulder injury in the 57th minute.

The game took a dramatic turn in the 65th minute when the Reds were awarded a penalty 10m from the Highlanders line. Rather than take the points, the Reds took a lineout. Halfback Jacob Rauluni took the clean ball, fooled the Highlanders defence with a dummy and showed his delight with a giant swan dive to score under the posts.

Two more penalties to Flatley extended the score to 33-17, but with the Reds needing a fourth try for a bonus point and the Highlanders simply needing to win, the players defied exhaustion for the frantic final minutes.

Tuilevu crossed for his second try in the 78th minute, but it was all too late with Laney missing the conversion.

Scoreboard:

QUEENSLAND REDS 33

Tries: Chris Latham 2, Jacob Rauluni.
Conversions: Elton Flatley 3. Penalty goals: Flatley 4.

OTAGO HIGHLANDERS 22

Tries: Aisea Tuilevu 2, Simon Maling.
Conversions: Tony Brown 2. Penalty goal: Brown.

Half-time: Queensland 17-7.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (Rsa)