The Queensland Reds have inflicted more Super 12 misery on the Waratahs with a 31-24 victory at Ballymore.

The Waratahs are yet to beat the Reds in six outings since the inception of the Super 12 tournament in 1996, but should have secured a home semi-final courtesy of the one bonus point from the game and a superior points-for average.

The Waratahs' loss means the Crusaders will finish the season at the top of the ladder and will host the final should they win their semi-final.

The result also sets up a fascinating final round with the third-placed Reds facing a tough game against the Highanders next week in Carisbrook with both needing to win to secure a semi-final spot. The Brumbies host the Blues in Canberra with both sides also needing to win to have any chance of making the semi-finals.

The Blues have the slimmest chance and there is a distinct possibility that all three Australian sides could make the semi-finals.

Competition leader the Crusaders will host the second-placed Waratahs with victory to either side providing a significant boost ahead of the semi-finals. The Crusaders are also chasing a record 11 wins in the season.

In a pulsating game at Ballymore, the Waratahs came back twice from two handy deficits, but in the end it was the Reds who prevailed after leading 14-11 at the break before a record Super 12 crowd at Ballymore of 23,117.

The Reds led 14-3 only for the Waratahs to level at 14-all and then 28-17 only for the Waratahs to reduce the lead to only four points with 20 minutes remaining.

Flyhalf Elton Flatley landed a penalty in the 70th minute to extend the lead to 31-24 and there was no way through the Reds defence in a tense final 10 minutes.

But the game could have gone either way when Waratahs captain Matt Burke levelled the scores at 14-all three minutes after half-time.

There were hints that the Waratahs were gaining the ascendancy, but it was the Reds who pounced first with No.8 John Roe scoring in the 48th minute after some nifty footwork by form fullback Chris Latham.

Burke kept the Waratahs in touch with a penalty, but the Reds went further ahead 28-17 through a strong try by inside-centre Junior Pelesasa.

The crowd was assured of a gripping finale when Waratahs inside-centre Sam Harris showed equally good strength to score his second try in the 60th minute and reduce the lead to 28-24.

Earlier, it was all Queensland in the opening 25 minutes with the Waratahs completely starved of possession.

The Reds made a tremendous start and were determined to spread it wide at every opportunity with a mountain of possession. Waratahs halfback Chris Whittaker made a try-saving tackle on Wendell Sailor in the third minute, but the pressure finally told three minutes later when Latham crossed out wide untouched.

Burke reduced the lead to 8-3 after Flatley had opened the scoring with a penalty and extended it to 14-3 with two more penalties.

The Waratahs' best attacking opportunity came in the 23rd minute through a Burke intercept 60m out, but he was penalised for being offside.

But the Waratahs finally reached the Reds 22 for the first time in the 29th minute and made the most of the rare visit to score a smart try to Harris.

New South Wales stepped up a gear with more possession and continued to apply the pressure in the later stages of the first-half before Burke landed a penalty to reduce the lead to 14-11 just prior to half-time.

After the game Waratahs and former Wallaby coach Bob Dwyer backed Sailor to be chosen in an extended Australia squad this season.

"I've said for some weeks I think he's been going pretty well," Dwyer said. "He consistently beats the first tackle and today beat quite a few more.

"I don't think he's as good as he's going to be but certainly if I was taking an extended squad into camp I would definitely take Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor."

Sailor himself said he believes his Reds teammate Ben Tune should be the first winger chosen, but also thinks he should be given a chance in an extended squad.

"If not it's been a good season so far and I'm still learning and I've got a long way to go," said Sailor.

Scoreboard

QUEENSLAND 31
Tries: Chris Latham, John Roe, Junior Pelesasa tries.
Conversions: Elton Flatley 2 goals 4 pen goals.

NSW 24
Tries: Sam Harris 2 tries.
Conversions: Matt Burke goal 4 pen goals.

At Ballymore.
Crowd: 23,117.
Referee: M Lawrence (Sth Africa).