Canberra bid farewell to veteran forward Owen Finegan and all but a slender hope of a Super 12 semi-final appearance on Saturday night after the Chiefs mowed down the Brumbies to force a 28-28 draw at Canberra Stadium.

Finegan, playing his last match in Canberra before heading to England at the end of the Super 12 season, marked the occasion with a try and looked set for further celebrations with the Brumbies ahead 28-14 midway through the second half.

But a late rally by the visitors saw them pinch a draw, leaving the Brumbies and the Chiefs with only a very slight chance of progressing to the last four.

It will take a series of unlikely results for either to go through, including two losses for the Bulls who play the lowly Sharks overnight.

"I would have loved to have gone out with a win but it wasn't to be," said Finegan who'll join fellow Australian Matt Burke and English superboot Johnny Wilkinson at Newcastle.

David Hill had the chance to put the Chiefs in front at the pointy end of the match with a penalty goal attempt. But his kick, from only slightly to the right of the posts, hooked wide.

The centre had a sketchy night with the boot, missing two other simple penalties, but did manage a sideline conversion to lock the match up after winger Sitiveni Sivivatu scored late in the game.

Question marks remained over the visitors' third try to Niva Ta'auso - the centre's second - after a pass from replacement Sione Lauaki appeared to go forward.

But a draw appeared a fair result with the Brumbies dominating the first half and the Chiefs in charge for much of the final 40 minutes.

There was a welcome return to form by Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock who scored two tries and kicked four conversions.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP