The Highlanders stayed alive.
We're not so sure about their watching supporters.
In a match that had a heart attack-inducing finish, the defending champion Highlanders beat the Brumbies 15-9 in the wet in Canberra last night to win the first of the Super rugby quarterfinals.
The visiting side scored two tries to none but had to put up some heroic and composed defence in the final five minutes of the game to claim victory.
The Brumbies camped on the Highlanders' tryline and appeared to score a try with three minutes to go.
But it was not awarded by the officials after a long review.
The home side then threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Highlanders, but the visitors' scrum and defence stood strong and kept the tryline intact.
It was a deserved victory for the Highlanders, as they looked a more threatening outfit.
The team will head to Sydney today and wait there until tomorrow to see where they will play in the semifinals next week.
If the two New Zealand sides playing in South Africa this weekend win then the Highlanders will host a semifinal in Dunedin next weekend.
If not then a trip to South Africa looks likely.
