Brumbies skipper Matt Giteau says he can't put a price on home victories in their next two must-win matches after his side crashed to a franchise record-equalling fifth straight Super Rugby defeat.

The 26-20 loss to the Highlanders in Invercargill on Friday left the Brumbies with a 1-5 record and nine points off sixth spot, with other teams poised to potentially leapfrog them before the end of the round.

The Canberra-based side were expected to slip to fourth in the Australian conference behind the winner of Saturday's Force-Rebels game.

Home games over the next two weeks against the Hurricanes and Force, both close to them on the ladder, appeared non-negotiable if the Brumbies were to retain any slim hopes of making the finals.

"You couldn't put a price on (winning both of them). It's vital, we have to do it," Giteau told AAP before leaving Invercargill.

"There's no doubting the issue now. We have to win and get that momentum."

The defeat was the latest in a series of deflating narrow losses for the Brumbies.

They have picked up a competition-leading five bonus points, all of them from games they have lost.

Their frustration in Invercargill was compounded by their failure to capitalise on significant territory and possession advantages and shots for goal.

Giteau was the chief culprit in the kicking department against the Highlanders, missing four of his six attempts.

"We are creating a lot of things, it's been small margins that we're losing by," Giteau said.

"The opportunities are there and we're not finishing off.

"Once we get those opportunities, we've just got be more patient and be able to convert them."

Although listed at five-eighth against the Highlanders, Giteau interchanged first-receiver duties with inside centre Christian Lealiifano and fullback Matt Toomua in a three-headed playmaking unit.

"For me, I felt like it gave me a lot more space a bit wider," Giteau said.

"I was able to have a few more runs and have a crack a bit more. Personally, I was pretty happy with the way that combination worked."

The Brumbies reported no major injury worries.

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