Two teams will represent Australia in this year's Super Rugby Finals, with defending champions the NSW Waratahs and the ACT Brumbies securing second and sixth spot respectively, earning the Waratahs the week off in the process. However, the story could have been much different heading into the final round of the season.

Both the Waratahs and Brumbies were equal on 47 points, leaving top spot in the Australian conference anyone's for the taking. However, on Saturday afternoon the Brumbies couldn't get past a spirited Crusaders outfit who were saying goodbye to cult heroes Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. They defeated the Brumbies 37-24 in the nation's capital.

This all but secured the Waratahs top spot and the week off before their match against the Reds. But that didn’t stop Michael Cheika’s men from overpowering the hapless Queensland Reds 31-5 in Sydney, improving the New South Wales side's chances of back-to-back titles.

Meanwhile, the Western Force ended a horror season on a high, upsetting the Melbourne Rebels 13-11. However, it wasn't enough to move the Force off the bottom of the ladder.

(SCOREBOARD: Melbourne Rebels def. by Western Force 11-13, ACT Brumbies def. by Crusaders 24-37, NSW Waratahs def. Queensland Reds 31-5)