The Crusaders will finish second after a thrilling 33-31 win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
George Bell proved the hero as the replacement hooker dived over for the winner with three minutes left.
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The Brumbies rallied from a 14-point deficit to set up a thrilling finish thanks to tries to Rhys van Nek and Andy Muirhead.
Noah Lolesio looked to have the winner after a late penalty, however, the visitors launched a late attack after a missed knock-on in the build-up to the penalty to Bell's try.
With little more than a minute to play it looked like Brumbies winger Corey Toole might put his side back in the lead as he pin-balled through the defence, but Scott Barrett dislodged the ball from his arms three metres from the tryline.
The third-placed Brumbies, the top-ranked Australian side, will now host the team that finishes fourth - the Hurricanes or Queensland - in the qualifying finals next weekend.
By finishing in the top two the Crusaders are now guaranteed to host a home semi-final provided they win next week.
The Brumbies trailed 25-14 at halftime with the Crusaders dominant in every aspect, with their line-speed in defence and physicality at the breakdown causing the home side headaches.
But the ACT side started the second half with intent, with prop Rhys Van Nek burrowing across.
The Brumbies then set up a heart-stopping finish when they drew level at 28-28 with their opponents after Noah Lolesio converted a try by Andy Muirhead in the 56th minute.
After some quick hands Muirhead still had plenty of work to do but the winger showed his will to drag three defenders across the line.
A penalty strike by Lolesio then put his team ahead with eight minutes to play but the Crusaders - the most successful team in the competition's history with 14 titles - wouldn't be denied.
Tries: Fotuaika, Ikitau, van Nek, Muirhead
Cons: Lolesio 4/4
Pens: Lolesio 1/1
Tries: Lio-Willie, Blackadder, Reihana, Bell
Cons: Reihana 2/4
Pens: Reihana 2/2
Drop Goal: Reece 1/1
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Feao Fotuaika, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Rhys van Nek, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor (c), Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: George Bell, Lewis Ponini, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Braydon Ennor
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referee: Angus Mabey, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly
