Cardiff-bound lock Paul Tito’s late try earned the Hurricanes a narrow 39-32 victory over the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Tito, who will leave New Zealand after the current Super 14 tournament, finished off a fine drive by his side to edge ahead after losing a 26-15 advantage.
Tana Umaga’s try had put his side ahead after first-half tries from Alby Matthewson, Serge Lilo and Ma’a Nonu.
Those points put the visitors ahead at the interval of the North Island derby, with Brendan Leonard and Liam Messam reciprocating.
However after Umaga struck, ex-Hurricane Roy Kinikinilau and hooker Tom Willis got their side back in the game with respective five-pointers.
But Tito’s late score, the culmination of a swift move in the right-hand corner, earned his side five competition points and left the Chiefs winless from two home games at Waikato Stadium.
