The Waratahs clinched a home semi-final in this season's Super 14 following their 18-11 victory over the Reds at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
The victory lifts the Waratahs to second on the Super 14 table and with three matches remaining in round 14 they cannot be passed.
The victory is the Waratahs fourth in as many years against the Reds and sees them retain the Templeton Cup.
In front of 27,688 fans at Suncorp Stadium, the Waratahs started on top, however Kurtley Beale was unable to convert two early penalty attempts.
The NSW kicking game was on song for most of the opening half and ensured the Waratahs were camped down in Reds territory for extended periods.
It was inevitable that the territorial dominance would eventually turn into points and eventually Dean Mumm was on the end of some solid forward play to score under the posts.
Clinton Schifcofske narrowed the gap to four with a penalty five minutes from half time, however the Waratahs struck a killer blow just before the siren.
From an attacking lineout 25m from the Reds line, Wycliff Palu ripped the ball and found himself with clear grass in front of him, sprinting away to score the Waratahs second try, his sixth of the season.
Beale's conversion attempt from wide out hit the post and bounced away leaving NSW with a 12-3 lead at the break.
Queensland came out with all guns blazing in the second half and were keen to apply scoreboard pressure as quickly as possible.
Despite the Reds gaining good yards, Berrick Barnes resorted to a drop goal and when he nailed it the margin was less than a converted try just five minutes into the second forty.
Schifcofske missed a penalty opportunity to close the gap further in the 52nd minute, and Beale made him pay soon after with two penalties of his own taking the score to 18-6.
As the clock wound down the Waratahs moved closer to a semi final berth, however after full time the Reds continued to attack. They were rewarded when a Morgan Turinui chip kick found Peter Hynes and the Reds scored a consolation try.
Schifcofske's conversion attempt missed to the right and the Waratahs ran out 18-11 victors.
Currently the Hurricanes sit third on the Super 14 table, however the Waratahs could also play either the Stormers or Sharks at the Sydney Football Stadium next Saturday depending on results overnight in South Africa.
Reds (3) 11
Try: Hynes
Pen: Schifcofske (2)
Waratahs (12) 18
Tries: Mumm, Palu
Con: Beale
Pen: Beale (2)
Reds: Clinton Schifcofske, Brando Va'aulu, Morgan Turinui, Berrick Barnes, Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas, Leroy Houston, David Croft, Poutasi Luafutu, James Horwill (captain), Van Humphries, Dayna Edwards, Stephen Moore, Ben Coutts. Reserves: Sean Hardman, Rodney Blake, Ed O'Donoghue, Scott Higginbotham, Sam Cordingley, Charlie Fetoai, Caleb Brown.
Waratahs: Sam Norton-Knight, Lachie Turner, Matt Carraro, Tom Carter, Lote Tuqiri, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (c), Rocky Elsom, Daniel Vickerman, Dean Mumm, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Adam Freier, Matt Dunning, David Lyons, Will Caldwell, Brett Sheehan, Rob Horne, Timana Tahu