The ACT Brumbies held off a Waikato Chiefs fightback to bring an end to the New Zealanders' quest for a third straight Super Rugby title with a 32-30 victory in a breathless play-off match in Canberra.

Tries from Nic White, Robbie Coleman, Jesse Mogg and Jarrad Butler gave the hosts a measure of revenge for their defeat in last year's final and earned them a place in next week's semi-finals, most likely against the New South Wales Waratahs.

The Chiefs were trailing 22-3 after 29 minutes but stormed back with tries from Bundee Aki, who will join Connacht this summer, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Tim Nanai-Williams to level the scores at 25-25 with 25 minutes of the contest remaining.

Butler scored from a rolling maul five minutes later, though, and Chiefs outhalf Aaron Cruden’s failure to convert replacement back Gareth Anscombe’s 77th minute try ultimately proved decisive.