The Chiefs have beaten the Hurricanes 28‑24 but it wasn't enough to snatch hosting rights for a Super Rugby quarter‑final.
In a fluctuating final‑round clash in Hamilton last night, the Hurricanes did enough to remain in front of their Kiwi rivals on the standings and secure the first wildcard slot.
The fifth‑placed Chiefs needed to beat the fourth‑placed Hurricanes by 23 points and secure a bonus point to reverse their positions.
They looked on track to do so after opening up a 21‑0 lead at halftime.
The Hurricanes shed their high error count after the break to fight back with four second‑half tries.
Their cause was helped by a red card shown to Chiefs inside centre Johnny Faauli for a 63rd‑minute shoulder to the head of Wes Goosen, which concussed the Hurricanes centre.
The result means the Hurricanes host the same opponents in next week's quarter‑ final.
Hurricanes skipper Brad Shields could be in doubt next week after exiting in the first quarter with a rib injury.
In another match, the Queensland Reds have rounded out their most successful Super Rugby season in five years with a 48‑27 victory over the Sunwolves.
But for the second week in a row, the Sunwolves were forced to play out more than half the match with only 14 men after a contentious red card to Ed Quirk.
It robbed them of any chance they might have had, with the Japanese outfit eventually succumbing to a seven‑tries‑to‑three defeat last night at Suncorp Stadium.
In matches tonight, the Highlanders will meet the Rebels at 7.35pm and Waratahs will face the Brumbies at 9.45pm, while tomorrow the Lions will play the Bulls at 1.05pm, and the Sharks will take on the Jaguares at 3.15am
[Source: RadioNZ]
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