The Plus500 Brumbies have gone down to the Highlanders by one point after the visitors scored a converted try well after the 80 minute mark.
The Highlanders camped themselves down on the home side's line where the pressure eventually turned to points as Teariki Ben-Nicholas crossed the line, with Ioane's conversion stealing a 23-22 win.
The Otago-based side started the game strongly, testing the Brumbies defence, leading to a penalty in front of goal, which Josh Ioane successfully slotted to open the scoring.
The Brumbies hit back soon after, with hooker Folau Fainga’a scoring the first five-pointer of the match in the 12th minute from the back of a signature rolling maul.
Ioane and the Highlanders were soon given another opportunity to kick a three pointer but were unable to convert from 35 metres out, seeing the Brumbies hold on to their two-point lead.
Fainga’a then crossed over for his second try in the 30th minute, another successful line out and maul by the Canberra side, seeing the Brumbies lead extend to 12-3.
However the Highlanders hit back in immediate fashion with winger Jonah Nareki successfully charging down Noah Lolesio’s clearing kick to take the score to 12-10.
Ioane kicked his second penalty goal of the night just before the end of the half, to see the Highlanders take a 13-12 lead into the break.
The second half began the same as the first as Ioane slotted another penalty goal as the Highlanders extended their lead to four points.
Moments later Patelesio Tomkinson was shown just a yellow card for a no arms tackle on Tom Banks despite the vision seeming to show direct contact with the head.
The Brumbies went on the attack and when Fainga’a completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute the home side regained a lead of 19-16 with 11 minutes to play.
Rookie Reesjan Pasitoa became the second youngest Brumby ever when he came on in the 72nd minute and when replacement scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan slotted a penalty in the 75th minute the Brumbies led by six.
However the Highlanders were able to force a turnover shortly after the kick off and subsequently earned a penalty, sending them inside the attacking 22.
They looked to their lineout and following three penalties after the 80-minute mark, referee Nic Berry again turned to the yellow card, this time for Brumbies lock Murray Douglas.
On their third lineout attempt, the Highlanders spread the ball towards to the posts where a barnstorming Teariki Ben-Nicholas found a five-pointer adjacent to the uprights, Josh Ioane cooling slotting the conversion to win the game.
Plus500 Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "Obviously we're shattered but at the same time I'm really proud of the group's effort tonight."
"I thought we were probably one more carry away from putting the ball into the touch for what would have been a pretty famous six point win.
"The Highlanders were good, they managed to force the turnover and with back to back penalties were good enough to squeeze out a result."
Plus500 Brumbies 22 (Tries: Fainga'a 3; Conversions: Lolesio; Lonergan 1; Penalty Goals: Lonergan 1) def by Highlanders 23 (Tries: Nareki, Ben-Nicholas; Conversions: Ioane 2; Penalty Goals: Ioane 3)
The Plus500 Brumbies will take on the Chiefs in round four at FMG Stadium in Waikato next Saturday night at 5:05pm AEDT.
