The Waikato Chiefs beat the New South Waratahs 28-23 in Sydney on Friday to stay in the hunt for a place in the Super 14 semifinals.
A late try by replacement Tane Tu’ipulotou sealed victory for the New Zealand side, who climbed to third in the standings with one game left.
Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu scored the opening try of the match but Waratahs flyhalf Sam Norton-Knight replied for the hosts.
Penalties by New South Wales fullback Peter Hewat and Chiefs flyhalf Stephen Donald left the score level at 13-13 at half-time.
Donald edged the Chiefs ahead with a penalty but Waratahs winger Lachlan Turner brilliantly jinked his way over to give the hosts hope of only their third win of the season.
Chiefs flanker Liam Messam then showed tremendous pace to score a try for the visitors and although Hewat edged the Waratahs 23-21 in front with a penalty, Tu’ipulotou scrambled over in the left corner to seal victory for Waikato. — Reuters