Almost 6000 people witnessed the tense finish to the match, but it was the Highlanders who were able to complete a remarkable comeback and cling on for a four-point win.

With time on the clock already lapsed the ball went from one end to the other in the dying stages, as both teams desperately searched for more points.

Brumbies fullback Robbie Coleman broke through the centre of the field, stealing fifty metres before a forward pass call, halted play and any chance the Brumbies had of winning.

Fijian fylers Tevita Kuridrani and Henry Speight got the Brumbies off to the best start.

Kuridrani opened the score in the Brumbies first attacking foray, four minutes into the match.

Coming off a Speight break from inside his own half, Kuridani had the Highlanders on the back foot and made them pay.

Kuridrani scores his second three minutes after the first drinks break, backing up Christian Lealifano after the Australian representative slipped through the Highlanders' defensive line.

The Brumbies onslaught continued and two minutes later Speight had his name on the scoreboard, flying down the opposite wing to score with team's third try.

Trailing by 19-0 at half-time , Highlanders replacement winger Ryan Tongia gets his team on the scoreboard as he runs down the sideline to score.

It was the try that sparked the Dunedin-based team's comeback.

The Highlanders found their flair in the second half, and with their free-flowing style went on to score 24 points in the second half

Their momentum was halted when big  outside centre Shaun Treeby came off second best in a challenge and had to be stretchered off. 

However, if 23 minutes remaining the Highlanders really put themselves in the position to win , when replacement back Teihorangi Walden was the beneficiary of a charged down kick 10 metres out from the line to score under the posts.

The Kiwis had plenty of possession in the lead up to their second try and coach Jamie Joseph would have been disappointed if his team hadn't come away with points.

After scoring his team's opening try Tongia was in the focus for all the wrong reasons after being red carded for a hit on Brumbies fullback Robbie Coleman with 22 minutes to play.

However, six minutes later the Brumbies lost their numerical advantage with halfback Nic White was shown a yellow card.

Both coaches came to an agreement to play out the match with the full complement of 15 players, and the Highlanders took advantage.

The Kiwis hit the front with 12 minutes remaining after turning a Brumbies scrum five metres out from their try line and received a penalty. 

Stand in captain Nasi Manu took a quick tap and put Dan Pryor within metres of the line, before the replacement forward was able to spin through the defence to score under the posts with 12 minutes remaining.

Lee Allan extended the Highlanders lead after kicking a penalty from 39 metres out and slots to for a 24-19 lead.

The Brumbies had plenty of opportunities to one more try, but dropped balls and the final forward pass call thwarted any opportunity.