A Chiefs try after the siren left the stunned Blues in second place on the Super Rugby ladder with the Hurricanes leaping to top of the table and the home advantage through the finals.
The Blues beat the Chiefs 31-17 in Auckland and at one stage held a four try swing. But two late tries through Quinn Tupaea and Josh Ioane brought a dramatic late twist which sent the Blues from top to second.
Earlier the Hurricanes went top with 41-14 bonus point over the Highlanders.
The Blues needed a bonus point to go ahead of them on points differential.
The quarterfinals were locked in at Chiefs vs Reds, Hurricanes vs Melbourne Rebels, Blues vs Fijian Drua, and Brumbies vs Highlanders.
The Hurricanes win had minimal impact on the Highlanders in the context of their season; following the result in Fiji they are guaranteed a sixth-placed finish. They also seemed to be focused on next week from the outset, naming a younger squad for this clash.
However, the result showed there is a lot of work for them to do if they are to progress deep into the finals campaign.
Salesi Rayasi of the Hurricanes breaks away for a try during the round 15 Super Rugby Pacific match between Hurricanes and Highlanders at Sky Stadium, on June 01, 2024, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
The visitors were the first on the board inside the first ten minutes when Matt Whaanga took advantage of some quality build-up play to score the first try.
However, it would prove to be the only time they would lead in the game, as the Hurricanes responded quickly with doubles to Salesi Rayasi and Du’Plessis Kirifi, plus an additional try for all-time try scorer T.J. Perenera. Brett Cameron also had a strong night with the boot, even more impressive considering the challenging conditions.
The Highlanders would grab their second try for the evening in the 32nd minute courtesy of Fabian Holland, however, it would be the last time they would trouble the scoresheet.
Rayasi would score a third try and complete his hat trick in the second half, with Brayden Iose also scoring in the final 20 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.
The win sends an ominous warning shot to the rest of the competition showcasing the clinical nature of the hosts, with many tries coming off brilliant team build-up, structures and execution.
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The win in Wellington comes after the Fijian Drua prevailed 40-19 over the Melbourne Rebels in Suva – a result that ends the Crusaders and Western Force’s finals hopes and locks in the teams that will participate in finals.