The Highlanders looked to be out of contention for post-season play after losing 27-21 to the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday night.
But they can still make the top six, and the playoffs, although form will have to change and not just from the Highlanders.
With the loss to the Chiefs the Highlanders sit in ninth position, and realistically it is the sixth and final playoff spot they are chasing. The Crusaders are on 52 points in fifth and would have to play very poorly in the next couple of weeks to miss out.
The Crusaders also have the added bonus of playing the Force in Christchurch in their final-round game.
Four points ahead of the Highlanders on the ladder are three teams on 49 points - the Hurricanes, Reds and Sharks.
Firstly, to have any chance of getting into the playoffs the Highlanders have to win, and win well, against the Reds on Friday night in Brisbane, and then cross their fingers hard.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said as much yesterday saying the team was just concentrating on trying to beat the Reds in Brisbane.
The Highlanders have a bye in the final round and a guaranteed four points.
So the maximum they can finish on is 54 points.
The Hurricanes, with the bye this week, will go to 53 points, but have a tough final game against the Chiefs in Wellington.
If the Highlanders do beat the Reds, and deny them the bonus point, the Australians will have the tough task of having to beat their arch-enemy the Waratahs in Brisbane the following week to be in contention.
The Sharks probably have the easiest path to bagging that sixth spot.
The Durban-based side's last two games are both at home - firstly against the Bulls and then the Cheetahs.
The Sharks had looked to have a smooth path to the playoffs a month ago but then lost to the Lions in a shock result.
For the cards to fall the Highlanders' way they simply have to win with a bonus point on Friday night.
Then they must hope the Hurricanes get smacked by the Chiefs and the Reds lose to the Waratahs.
The Sharks could then lose to the Bulls, and not gain a bonus point, and could even win with a bonus point over the Cheetahs.
If teams are tied on points at the end of the competition, the team with the most wins goes through.
The Highlanders, Reds and Hurricanes all have nine wins while the Sharks have bagged just the eight victories.
If team are tied on number of wins it goes to points differential.
The Highlanders dip out here as they have a negative points balance while the Hurricanes and the Sharks are much more in the positive.