Toomua try boosts Brumbies

The Brumbies kept their season alive with a bonus-point victory over the Highlanders in the penultimate round of Super 14 matches at Canberra Stadium.

Matt Toomua's late try capped a comprehensive 31-3 triumph and sets up a mouth-watering final round clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch next week.

The win ensures the Brumbies edge into the top four and means their play-off fate remains in their own hands ahead of the next week's showdown in New Zealand.

Rocky Elsom, Salesi Ma'afu and Josh Valentine also touched down for the Brumbies with the Highlanders mustering just a solitary penalty from Israel Dagg.

The hosts underlined their attacking intent from the start, spurning an early penalty chance in pursuit of a try and were rewarded in the 11th minute when Elsom touched down.

The Australian skipper took a line-out deep in the attacking half and spun neatly before turning his way over in the 11th minute.

Matt Giteau converted and the Brumbies struck again four minutes later after a move initiated by captain Stephen Hoiles.

He broke the line to set up a platform just shy of the Highlanders line and Ma'afu was on hand to collect the ball from the back of the ruck and dive over from close range.

The Highlanders regrouped and threatened themselves when Josh Bekhuis was denied by a last-gasp try-saving tackle from Adam Ashley-Cooper, while the same player contrived to knock on when Fetu'u Vainikolo was in support and unmarked on the wing.

But the home lead was stretched to 17-0 when Giteau slotted a penalty, although Dagg reduced the arrears slightly as he responded in kind on the half-time siren.

It was the visitors who started the second period in brighter fashion, but they could not convert their promise into points and the Brumbies made them pay.

Toomua created something out of nothing, stepping his way past a couple of would-be tacklers before the ball went through Ben Alexander to Giteau who popped a clever pass to Valentine to score.

Things got even worse for the Highlanders as Dagg was sin-binned nine minutes into the half, although the Brumbies failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage.

Indeed, when Hoiles knocked on when seemingly set to score 15 minutes from time, it appeared that the crucial fourth try might not arrive.

They piled forward in the closing stages with Pat McCabe taken into touch just short of the line and then Tyrone Smith losing the ball forward five metres out.

But Toomua made himself the hero in the nick of time, powering his way over out wide with just moments remaining.