The Highlanders booked their spot in next weekend's Super Rugby final, with a 35-17 win away at the Waratahs. 

On the road in Sydney, the Highlanders outfit out-scored their opponents five tries to one, to set up an all-New Zealand final next week in Wellington against the Huricanes. 

Very even first forty

The two sides cancelled each other out before the break, with the Highlanders edging the first half 15-14.

After Lima Sopoaga had scored the opening points in th fifth minute for the visitors, the Waratahs struck back soon after, scoring their only try of the match through Rob Horne, who collected a clever cross-field kick from Bernard Foley. 

Despite Sopoaga being off the field due to a concussion, the Highlanders managed to score their opening try, when Aaron Smith intercepted a pass from Wycliff Palu off the back of a scrum to dive over in the corner and gain an 8-5 lead. 

Foley kicked a brace of penalties of to give the 'Tahs the lead, before a try from nothing via Richard Buckman shocked the home crowd as the side from Dunedin grabbed the lead just before the break - 15-14.

Naholo confirms tag of Super Rugby's 'best finisher'

14 minutes into the second half, the competitions best finisher, Waisake Naholo, proved why he had been called up to the All Blacks squad with an exhibition in touching down.

Put into space down the right wing by Sopoaga, Naholo chipped his opposite winger before scorching down the touchline to beat the covering defenders to the ball and putting the ball down just short of the dead-ball line. 

Joubert angers Sydney crowd

Three minutes after Naholo's wonder try, the tie was all but ended as a contest, with South African referee Craig Joubert playing a big part in that. 

Joubert decided to award a penalty try, as well as sin-binning Waratah Jacques Potgieter, after his arm connected with the neck of Patrick Osborne as he stretched for the line. 

The Tahs' never really recovered from the two quick-fire scores and continued to chance their arm against an unbreakable defence as the New Zealanders continued to smash everything that moved. 

Highlanders give themselves a shot at history

Osborne crossed for the 'Landers fifth try in the final minute to confirm their famous victory after he collected a chip from the mercurial Sopoaga, whos kicking game was imperative in the win. 

Just like next week's opponents, the Highlanders have given themselves a chance to win their first ever Super Rugby title in a mouthwatering clash.