There will be an all-New Zealand semi-final and all-Australian semi-final in the Super 12 after the Highlanders defeated the Reds 40-26 in Dunedin.

Both the Highlanders and Reds needed to win the make the semis, but it was the Highlanders who thoroughly deserved their victory after leading 19-13 at half-time.

The win was not enough to knock the Brumbies out of third with a superior points-for average, meaning the Highlanders will finish fourth and Reds fifth.

In next week's semi-finals, the first-placed Crusaders will host the Highlanders in Christchurch, and the second-placed Waratahs will meet the Brumbies in Sydney for the second time this year.

To knock the Brumbies out of third, the Highlanders not only had to secure a bonus point for scoring four tries, which they did, but had to win by 36 points.

It was an impressive effort by the Highlanders who took the field without key flyhalf Tony Brown and then lost hooker Anton Oliver and halfback Byron Kelleher through the game. Brown's replacement Willie Walker had a superb game, ensuring the Highlanders stayed in touch during the first-half with four penalties as the Reds were penalised for a series of infringements.

The Reds were hoping to repeat the effort of the Wallabies last year and secure their first win at Carisbrook and things were looking promising when they held a 10-3 lead after 10 minutes.

Fullback Chris Latham scored the game's first try in the fifth minute as the Reds dominated the early stages, but their poor discipline meant their dominance wasn't converted on the scoreboard.

And with Walker ensuring the visitors paid for every indiscretion, the Highlanders played themselves back into the game and started to dominate after 30 minutes. Walker reduced the Reds' lead to 13-12 in the 32nd minute and captain Taine Randell converted all his side's pressure to put the Highlanders ahead 19-13 three minutes later.

In a hectic opening 10 minutes after the break, the Highlanders scored well-constructed tries through Craig Newby and Paul Steinmetz to take control of the game. Flatley also added two penalties, but the Highlanders had pushed their lead out to 29-19 by the 50th minute.

The Reds were always on the backfoot as the Highlanders dominated territory in the second-half, and when Walker added two more penalties the Reds faced a massive task with 10 minutes remaining trailing 35-19.

Latham maintained his favouritism for the Wallaby fullback jersey when he crossed for his second try in the 73rd minute, but Highlanders centre Ryan Nicholas ensured there was no revival with his side's fourth try in the 75th minute.

Scoreboard

HIGHLANDERS 40
Tries: Taine Randell, Craig Newby, Paul Steinmetz, Ryan Nicholas tries.
Conversions: Willie Walker con, 6 pens goals.

QUEENSLAND 26
Tries: Chris Latham 2 tries.
Conversions: Elton Flatley 2 cons, 4 pens.