The Brumbies claimed Australian dominance with a 24-14 win over the fourth-placed Reds.
In New Zealand, it was Moana Pasifika that supplied the boilover win by claiming their first win over the Blues, 27-21 to jump to six place, although sharing the points with the Blues.
The Hurricanes retained fifth place with their injury-time 24-20 win over the Highlanders in Wellington.
Statistics
Most points: Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) 137, Ben Donaldson (Force) 94, Beauden Barrett (Blues) 90.
Most tries: Carlo Tizzano (Force) 12, Corey Toole (Brumbies), Kyren Taumoefolau (Moana Pasifika) 9.
Most carries: Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa (Moana Pasifika) 184, Elia Canakaivata (Drua) 151, Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs) 149.
Most clean breaks: Toole 21, Harry Potter (Force), Ponipate Loganimasi (Drua) 19.
Most defenders beaten: Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders) 57, Potter 45, McKenzie, Tom Wright (Brumbies) 43.
Most lineouts won: Darcy Swain (Force) 72, Nick Frost (Brumbies) 61, Josh Canham (Reds) 59.
Most metres gained: Wright 1014, Mac Grealy (Force) 815, Potter 727.
Most offloads: Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) 14, Barrett, Will Jordan (Crusaders), Potter 13.
Most tackles won: Fabian Holland (Highlanders) 184, Tom Robertson (Force) 182, Tizzano 180.
Hurricanes 24 Highlanders 20
Within two minutes, the Highlanders scored through wing Jonah Lowe to give the Hurricanes a warning that they were up for the contest in Wellington. Wing Bailyn Sullivan was on the end of a 12th-minute backline move to reply, and with first five-eighths Ruben Love's conversion from wide out, the scores were level. But in the 18th minute Lowe was in again when completing a stunning backline move started by a kick receipt and a clever cross-kick by fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens that put centre Taniela Tele'a into space to link with Lowe and fullback Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, before a return pass put Lowe over.
Down 7-14 at the break, the Hurricanes found continuity after fullback Callum Harkin and centre Fehi Fineanganofo took play to the 22, where halfback Cam Roigard broke from the base of the ruck to race in to level the scores. Love and Taine Robinson exchanged penalty goals, with the Highlanders scoring another with nine minutes left. An upset win for the visitors looked likely as the game counted down. But the Hurricanes refused to concede, and after 22 phases and a minute of injury time, their assault on the Highlanders' line was rewarded when Roigard dived over beneath the crossbar to secure a crucial win for the home team.
Hurricanes 24 (Cam Roigard 2, Bailyn Sullivan tries; Ruben Love 3 con, pen) Highlanders 20 (Jonah Lowe 2 tries; Taine Robinson 2 con, 2 pen). HT: 7-14
Waratahs 33 Crusaders 48
Sydney may not have been the happiest of venues for the Crusaders in the past, but they showed with their third-minute try to fullback Johnny McNicholl, after first five-eighths Rivez Reihana opened a gap on the outside, they meant business. Five minutes later, centre Braydon Ennor picked off an intercept and ran 50m to score. The pack got in on the try scoring in the 16th minute when hooker Ioane Moananu was on the back of of a driving maul. After 19 minutes, flanker Langi Gleeson was denied a try by a lack of evidence it had been grounded, but three minutes later there was no doubt as he scored off a five-metre scrum. However, there was no halting the Crusaders' momentum as McNicholl's outside break saw wing Chay Fihaki cross while after the halftime hooter, flanker Cullen Grace stood off a goal line ruck to take a pass and score.
Consecutive Waratahs tries in the 44th and 53rd minutes, the first a second for Gleeson to get within 10 points, but the introduction of James O'Connor at first five-eighths put Reihana to the backfield and his take of a Waratahs kick put wing Sevu Reece in for a try that drew him equal on 65 with TJ Perenara as Super Rugby's highest try scorers. Ten minutes were left when wing Darby Lancaster dived over in the corner for the home team to regain the 10-point margin, but an O'Connor penalty goal and a double-round break saw Reece centre-kick for flanker Tom Christie to score the Crusaders' final try. In a final twist, wing Triston Reilly collected a cross-kick to score and deny the Crusaders a bonus point.
Waratahs 33 (Langi Gleeson 2, Miles Amatosero, Darby Lancaster, Triston Reilly tries; Tane Edmed 3 con; Jack Bowen con) Crusaders 48 (Johnny McNicholl, Braydon Ennor, Ioane Moananu, Chay Fihaki, Cullen Grace, Sevu Reece, Tom Christie tries; Rivez Reihana 3 con; James O'Connor 2 con, pen). HT: 7-31
Drua 38 Force 7
Picking off a dropped Drua ball two minutes after the start in fine conditions in Lautoka, the Force worked the ball down a blindside flank for centre Sio Tomkinson to score. The Drua took time to mount their response, but just before the 30-minute mark, they took a similar blindside route when centre Iosefo Masi worked the ball to Ponipate Longanimasi, who had Philip Baselala in support for the halfback to score. Six minutes later, Masi was rewarded when following a kick ahead through, getting the favourable bounce to run in the try.
The Drua extended their 17-7 halftime lead when No8 Elia Canakaivata got the ball over the line from a goal line maul, and he scored again in similar fashion after 66 minutes. But the finale they set up from a five-metre scrum on their line capped their victory. Replacement halfback Leone Nawai toed ahead deep into the Force's 22m area. Force players got back, but the Drua arrived en masse for the counter ruck and replacement back Selestino Ravutaumada emerged with the ball to drive over for the try. The win was the Drua's ninth consecutive win at the ground and, with one game left, away to the Reds, gave them a chance to avoid the wooden spoon.
Drua 38 (Philip Baselala, Iosefo Masi, Elia Canakaivata 2, Selestino Ravutaumada tries; Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 2 con, pen; C Muntz 3 con) Force 7 (Sio Tomkinson try; Alex Harford con). HT: 17-7.
Moana Pasifika 27 Blues 21
Running into the one-person wrecking ball that was flanker Ardie Savea, the Blues head into their bye knowing they have one chance left, against the Waratahs in Auckland, to keep their playoff hopes alive. For Moana Pasifika, the win gave them a place in the top six, but facing higher hurdles with away games against the Chiefs and Hurricanes. But if Savea continues to inspire his side with the all-round qualities of determination, skill and ability to secure ball at the breakdown, those two opponents should be prepared. His injury-time ruck grab secured the first win for the side over their neighbours, but his cork-screwing in and out of attempted tackles, relentless motion and kicking skills again caused the Blues continual headaches.
He didn't act alone. His forward pack climbed a mountain, taking on the Blues' frontal assault, turning them back and unleashing rising wing Kyren Taumoefolau, who scored three tries. The Blues did secure a penalty try, but their infringements allowed Moana Pasifika's first five-eighths, Patrick Pellegrini, to complement his organisational skills with four penalty goals. Blues' replacement Anton Segner was stretchered from the field, but he was reported to be better after the game, with concussion as his primary concern.
Moana Pasifika 27 (Kyran Taumoefolau 3 tries; Patrick Pellegrini 4 pen) Blues 21 (Patrick Tuipulotu, Hoskins Sotutu tries; Penalty try; Beauden Barrett 2 con). HT: 11-14
Brumbies 24 Reds 14
Reds halfback Tate McDermott put his sniping skills to use around the blindside of a ruck 35 metres out from the Brumbies' line. He raced to within five metres of the goal line but got the ball away in a tackle to wing Tim Ryan, who scored. Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa powered over just before 30 minutes to respond. The sides were level at 7-7 going into the second half.
After second five-eighths, Hunter Paisami was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle, the Brumbies built on a strong surge by Rob Valetini to move the ball through the reduced Reds defence and wing Andy Muirhead scored to break the deadlock. Moments later, they worked more backline play with fullback Tom Wright in the backline and crossed in the 50th minute to extend the lead. Restored to full strength, the Reds scored their second through replacement hooker Josh Nasser after 60 minutes, but a penalty goal to halfback Ryan Lonergan, pushed them beyond the seven-point margin. The Reds made a valiant injury-time bid to secure a loser's bonus point, but the ball was knocked on just short of the Brumbies' line.
Brumbies 24 (Allan Alaalatoa, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright tries; Ryan Lonergan 3 con, pen) Reds 14 (Tim Ryan, Josh Nasser tries; Harry McLaughlin-Phillips 2 con). HT: 7-7