The Hurricanes fought back from a 16-point deficit to snatch a vital bonus-point on full time with a 33-27 win over the Chiefs to keep their slender Super 14 play-off hopes alive.
The Hurricanes were on the ropes after 30 minutes when they trailed the injury-ravaged Chiefs 8-24 before staging a dramatic recovery to continue their late surge up the ladder.
A try by the Hurricanes stand-out performer Ma'a Nonu gave the home side the lead with five minutes remaining, then with time up on the clock, All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata barged over to seal the win with their crucial fourth try.
Hurricanes captain Andrew Hore rated the try as possibly "the most important" of Tialata's career as his side turned their attention to their remaining two games against the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs, the two Australian sides ahead of them.
It was also sweet revenge for the Hurricanes after the Chiefs beat them twice last year, first to deny them a home semi-final and then in the play-offs.
"It showed the team that we have been (this season)," Hore said of the way his side clawed their way back into the game.
"We kept it up right till the end and to come back and get that bonus point try it might be the most important try of Neemia's life,"
The Chiefs, who started the season with three wins on the road but have gone downhill since, took control at the start in a match played with an air of desperation from both sides, with attack taking priority over defence.
After an early Aaron Cruden penalty put the Hurricanes ahead 3-0, the Chiefs struck back from the restart when Cruden went from hero to villain, dropping a simple pass, allowing Jackson Willison to snap the ball up and race away to score.
Cory Jane finished off a Nonu line-break to reply for the Hurricanes before Sona Taumalolo, Tim Nanai-Williams and Liam Messam all touched down for the Chiefs to give them a bonus point inside 30 minutes and a 24-8 lead.
Nonu scored the first of his two tries just before half-time, narrowing the gap to 24-15, before the second half tightened up.
The Hurricanes closed within six points following second half penalties to Cruden and Piri Weepu and one in reply by Bruce for the Chiefs before Nonu scored the decisive try with a 30-metre run to the line after an initial break by Hosea Gear.
The Hurricanes play the Reds in Wellington next Friday while the Chiefs, now out of play-offs contention, host the Waratahs in Hamilton.
