The Brumbies have blown a big opportunity to gain a vital edge in the Super Rugby playoffs and, like Queensland, must now win three sudden-death games in a row to claim the title.
The Brumbies host the Cheetahs in Canberra next Sunday afternoon, while the Reds travel to Christchurch to take on the seven-time champion Crusaders on Saturday night.
The Brumbies are through to the playoffs for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2004, but their 21-15 last-round slip-up against the lowly Western Force in Perth on Saturday night was costly.
Had they scored a bonus-point win over the 14th-placed Force, the Brumbies would have clinched an all-important top-two spot, enjoyed next weekend off and remained well-positioned for a home final.
Instead, the Australian conference winners finished third behind the Chiefs and Bulls and face an uphill battle to even make the August 3 final.
Ten of the past 12 Super Rugby titles have been won by the minor premiers, meaning history favours the defending champion Chiefs to go back-to-back.
The Chiefs, who beat the Blues 26-16 in Auckland on Saturday night, clinched top spot when the Stormers ended the Bulls’ nine-match winning streak with a 30-13 victory in Cape Town on Sunday morning.
The South African conference winners still get a break next weekend before hosting the highest-ranked winners from the qualifying finals in week two of the playoffs in Pretoria.
The Chiefs will host the other semi-final in Hamilton against the lowest-ranked winners from the qualifying finals.
Queensland edged the NSW Waratahs 14-12 in Sydney on Saturday night to secure fifth place ahead of the Cheetahs, who earned four points for a last-round bye.
The Crusaders tuned up for the playoffs with a 25-17 home win over the Hurricanes on Friday.
The Stormers finished seventh, the Sharks eighth and the Waratahs ended their first season under coach Michael Cheika in ninth position.
The Melbourne Rebels finished 12th after their thrilling 38-37 home win over the Highlanders on Friday night, while the Force avoided the wooden spoon with their upset win against the Brumbies.
South Africa’s Southern Kings ended up last in their inaugural season after losing 58-13 to the Sharks in Durban on Sunday morning.
