The ACT Brumbies remained "masters of their own destiny" after storming to a 35-27 win over the Hurricanes in their Super 12 clash in Wellington.

The Brumbies can secure the remaining semi-final berth by beating the second-placed Crusaders in Canberra next Friday night.

They moved to 30 points on the Super 12 table, however a loss will open the door for either NSW (27) or the Highlanders (28) to grab the final play-off berth after the Waratahs upset the Dunedin side 27-23 earlier.

The Brumbies' forwards laid the platform for the win, dominating the Hurricanes in the set pieces which allowed the ACT side to run in four tries - two to winger Mark Gerrard.

Referee Jonathan Kaplan also awarded the visitors a penalty try in the 69th minute as the Hurricanes tried to pull down the Brumbies scrum metres from the tryline.

But ACT coach David Nucifora was most pleased with his side's defence, which shut down the dangerous Hurricanes backline led by All Blacks centre, skipper Tana Umaga.

"I think our defence was the issue," he said.

"We had a commitment before the game and we knew that defence was what was going to make the difference in this game.

"Our ability to shut down their midfield and their backrow was the difference."

ACT trailed 20-14 at the halftime break despite Gerrard's double, but their big game experience shone through in the second half.

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