The Highlanders pulled off an unlikely victory when they beat the fifth placed Waratahs by 26 points to 10 at Invercargill on Friday.
The Waratahs were expected to secure victory in the match and move into the top four but as they failed to even secure a losing bonus point their chances of reaching the play offs have taken a significant blow - in particular their chance of a home semi-final which is now almost impossible.
The Waratahs can still make the Super 14 play offs but they will have to win both of their remaining matches which are against the Chiefs in Hamilton and the Hurricanes in Sydney.
The Hurricanes will probably be the biggest benefactors of the Waratahs slip up - if they beat the Chiefs later this weekend.
The Highlanders hardly put a foot wrong in the match that was played under fairly bad weather conditions. The Waratahs appeared to lack conviction or the incentive to go after the victory.
It is possible but unlikely that the Waratahs will be overtaken on the Super 14 table by their chasers this weekend but they could get left behind as there is potential for a lot of movement on the table above them.
The biggest worry for the Waratahs is that even if they do reach the play offs they will need to play considerably better than how they did against the Highlanders.
All Blacks flanker Adam Thomson (pictured) scored a try in each half and was at the heart of a superb forward performance which gave the Highlanders the advantage in a match played in strong winds and torrential rain.
The Highlanders took a 12-10 lead into halftime after winning the toss and playing into the wind, then sealed the win with 16 unanswered points in the second half, including Thomson's second try and three Matt Berquist penalties.
Center Kurtley Beale scored a first-half try for the Waratahs, although they failed to capitalize on the considerable advantage of the wind before halftime.
The Highlanders made a strong start against the gale, scoring tries through Setephano and Thomson to lead 12-0 in as many minutes.
Flyhalf Daniel Halangahu converted Beale's try and kicked a penalty to narrow the lead to two points at halftime but the Waratahs were outplayed in the second half, showing few signs of determination to keep its playoff hopes alive.
"That's football. We came here expecting and having trained for the weather but we just didn't perform on the night, which is disappointing," Waratahs captain Phil Waugh said.
"But we're not out of it yet. We've got to back up and perform next week because it's do-or-die for us now."
"I'm disappointed that we were out-willed in the contest but, as I said, we're not out of it and we just have to perform next week (against the Chiefs) in Hamilton."
Thomson, hooker Justin Rutledge and prop Chris King were among the stars of a Highlanders pack which played outstanding wet-weather rugby to outclass the Waratahs, who were playing for the first time in New Zealand's southernmost city.
The Highlanders solid driving play, nimble pick-and-runs and precise close handling throughout the first half laid the platform for the win.
"I'm really proud of the boys," said Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan, who said his players would celebrate their win by going duck shooting on Saturday, the opening day of the season.
"We took a step forward in our performance last week and another step tonight."
Setephano opened the scoring in the ninth minute, rolling off the back of a scrum reset six times near the Waratahs line and driving over with Thomson in support.
Thomson forced his way over four minutes later, taking a long pass from Cowan after winger Fetu'u Vainkolo had twice handled in lead-up play.
Beale slipped past three defenders after taking an inside pass from Berrick Barnes to score in the 33rd minute as the Waratahs attempted to spark a comeback.
The revival came to nothing as Thomson scored again in the 49th minute and Berquist landed three penalties.
Final Score Highlanders 26 Waratahs 10
Scorers
Highlanders
Tries - S. Setephano, A.Thompson 2
Pen - M Berquist 3
Con - I Dagg
Drop -
Cards -
Waratahs
Tries - K Beale
Pen - D Halangahu
Con - D Halangahu
Drop -
Cards -
Match Officials
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZ)
Assistant referees: Josh Noonan (NZ) , Kane McBride (NZ)
TMO: Garratt Williamson (NZ)
Teams
Highlanders - 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thompson, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Chris King.
Reserves: 16 Peter Mirrielees, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 John Hardie, 20 Scott Cowan, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 James Paterson.
Waratahs ; 15. Kurtley Beale , 14. Lachie Turner , 13. Tom Carter , 12. Berrick Barnes , 11. Drew Mitchell , 10. Daniel Halangahu , 9. Josh Holmes , 8. Ben Mowen , 7. Phil Waugh [c] , 6. Dave Dennis , 5. Kane Douglas , 4. Dean Mumm , 3. Al Baxter , 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau , 1. Dan Palmer
Reserves , 16. Damien Fitzpatrick , 17. Jeremy Tilse , 18. Chris Thomson , 19. Patrick McCutcheon* , 20. Luke Burgess , 21. Rory Sidey , 22. Sosene Anesi , 23rd Man - Chris Alcock
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