Unfortunately for them they don't and as a result, their Super14 dream is as good as over.

Last night's 10-7 loss to the Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton all-but extinguished the Brumbies' chances of playing again next week.

While the bonus point they received for losing by seven points or less temporarily elevated them into the top four, it would take a minor miracle for the Brumbies to progress to the play-offs.

By the time they wake up this morning they could officially be outed if the NSW Waratahs beat the Lions in Johannesburg or take two bonus points from the match.

Even if that didn't happen, the Brumbies would still need both the Canterbury Crusaders and Durban Sharks to lose this weekend, or at least not take one and two bonus points respectively from their games.

''We're in the top four, we'll just see how kindly the rugby gods smile upon us now,'' coach Andy Friend said.

Miracles aside, the Brumbies knew deep down their season was over.

And how cruelly it happened.

Denied any possession for the majority of the second half, the Brumbies defended vigorously.

It wasn't enough to get them the win they so desperately needed.

While the scoreboard didn't reflect it and the greater rewards weren't there the Brumbies played some of their best rugby of the season in Hamilton last night.

They dominated the Chiefs at the breakdown, George Smith and Julian Salvi proving a worthy combination in the heat of battle.

They unsettled the Chiefs' set piece, stealing valuable lineout ball and winning a series of highly physical, albeit scrappy, scrums in wet conditions.

And defensively they hadn't put in a more impressive performance all year.

The Chiefs had the majority of the ball last night and spent most of the second half camped inside the Brumbies' 22m area.

The visitors refused to yield, denying the Hamilton boys time and time again.

Fatigued in the final 10 minutes, the Brumbies must have forgotten what the ball felt like.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times