The Jekyll and Hyde Waratahs may have finally perfected the formula to achieve glory.

Their comprehensive disposal of the Hurricanes on Friday not only set up a semi-final clash with the Stormers, it was achieved in a style that suggests the ‘Tahs - who went from the performance penthouse to the gutter and back on several occasions during the season -- could be a genuine threat for the Super rugby title.

If the ‘good' ‘Tahs turn up again for the Cape Town clash on Saturday - the New South Welshmen's fourth Super semi in six years - they could shock their more fancied opponents in front of 50,000 at Newlands.

Playing with a mixture of poise, panache and courage, the Waratahs backed themselves with ball-in-hand and restricted their defensive kicking to run in four tries to one in the 32-16 demolition of the Hurricanes.

The Stormers who thrashed an understrength Bulls side 38-10 to take second place on the table from the Waratahs and the right to host a home semi, will be licking their lips at the prospect of seeing Phil Waugh's team again in Cape Town.

In Week Two, the South Africans eased by them 27-6 in a match that was indicative of the ‘bad' Waratahs who sent supporters tumbling into despair on several occasions during the season.

But lessons surely have been learned, and Australia's premier rugby franchise know it means certain death if they collapse back into the slow and defensive game plan they chose in that match back in February.

As against the Hurricanes, the Waratahs must be prepared to launch swift counter attacks and occasionally find unorthodox methods, including attacking kicks, to break the defensive line. The Stormers are by far the best defensive side in the comp, having conceded only 171 points. The Waratahs are the next measliest (288 points against).

The Stormers and the Waratahs will be battling for the right to stay in contention for their first Super titles, while the other semi, to be played in Soweto at the Orlando Stadium will feature seven time champions the Crusaders against the defending champs and three time winners the Bulls.

The Bulls will be back to full strength for the semi having rested 14 players against the Stormers and they will need to be at their best to counter the Crusaders.

The New Zealanders were sublime in Christchurch on Friday, roughing up the Brumbies 40-22, providing an anti-climatic end to the Canberra side's season and the Brumbies career of flanker George Smith.

The Brumbies' tight five was minced by the Crusaders at the set piece and in open play collisions while the home side's defence and counter attack were exceptional.

It's fitting that the Waratahs and the Crusaders should join the two South African sides in the semis. Not only did the four teams get the results they needed to still be alive, they are the best four squads in the comp.

For all the justified excitement about the Reds' entertaining style this year, it has been the Waratahs' ability to do the heavy work in tight to provide a platform for their backs that has prolonged their season.

The injury-depleted Reds limped home to finish in fifth place on the table -- one spot ahead of the Brumbies -- with a 38-36 victory over the Highlanders on Saturday.

The match at Suncorp was a fitting finale to a season of enterprise from the Queenslanders. They attacked like demon geniuses in the first half to race to a 24-3 lead at the break only to fall in heap during the second term as they had the previous week against the Hurricanes.

But they battled back to squeeze out the win, a fitting tribute to veteran Sean Hardman, playing his 148th and last game for Queensland.

The Reds' fans have got their money's worth all year, but the Waratah faithful has been robbed of several hours of their life watching their successful but too often dour team this year.

However the Sydney side -- perhaps embracing a few of Queensland's successful tactics this year -- turned it on in style against the ‘Canes to keep their unbeaten home record intact for the season.

Two tries each to player of the game, Drew Mitchell, and Kurtley Beale sealed the bonus point win.

Three of the Tahs' tries came from attacking kicks -- two chips, one from Beale and one from Lachie Turner and a grubber from Mitchell.

The Waratahs, much to the relief of the 31,500 crowd, opted to keep ball-in-hand for long stretches, minimising the dangerous ‘Canes attacking opportunities and maximising the chance for their own outside backs to shine.

Yet the New Zealanders were still in touch 18-9 at half time, courtesy of three penalty goals.

But there was no letting the visitors back in and the Waratahs ended the Hurricanes' five-game unbeaten streak.

Turner, often underemployed in tough games, played to his potential while his back-three partners, Mitchell and Beale, were exceptional.

Mitchell surely booked a wing spot in Robbie Deans' Wallaby set up, while Beale's late season form has been nothing less than game-changing. (Beale, pictured above, later topped off a memorable night when he was awarded his 50th cap for the 'Tahs.)

Rob Horne was also at his best and must rate as the form outside centre in Australian rugby.

In tight, Dean Mumm and youngster Kane Douglas stepped up yet again in a pack substantially weakened by the injury-enforced absence of arguably two of the Waratahs' two best players, Benn Robinson and Cliff Palu.

What's more, backrower Ben Mowen and prop Al Baxter had been impacted by gastro problems before the game, according to coach Chris Hickey.

Baxter eventually came off with a shoulder injury and will be evaluated in the run down to the semi. Front rowers Dan Palmer (concussion) and Damien Fitzpatrick (knee) will also be monitored.

Amongst the worst of the Aussie injuries on the weekend was a fractured jaw for Brumby and Wallaby hooker Stephen Moore -- a fatal blow to his international prospects this season.

It capped a night of misery for the Brumbies in Christchurch who were beaten all over the park and will have to look back at their season and ask a few tough questions.

Not the least of them is their ability, or lack of, to grind across the advantage line. Too often their talented backs are forced to play without forward momentum.

George Smith was everywhere as usual in his 129th Super match, but his nemesis Richie McCaw had his measure.

One shining light for the Brumbies and Australia was Adam Ashley-Cooper, a threat every time he touched the ball.

The Western Force will take some positives away from their last game of the year, albeit a 27-22 loss to the in-form Sharks in Durban.

Ryan Cross was at his bustling best and youngster James O'Connor ensured he'll be in Dean's mind when the Wallaby coach prepares to name his squad soon after the Waratahs' Super campaign comes to an end.