Live coverage has concluded
Final score: Chiefs 26 Hurricanes 24
Chiefs 26 (Gus Sowakula, Gatland tries; McKenzie, 2 conversions, 4 penalty goals)
Hurricanes 24 (Blackwell, Proctor, Aumua tries; Barrett 3 conversions, penalty goal)
Click here for a full match wrap and match highlights.
Full time
80+3 mins - Penalty goal Chiefs to McKenzie
Another huge scrum from the Chiefs and Paul Willaims plays advantage. The home side breaks down the sideline but Nankivell knocks the ball into touch but they will come back for a penalty.
McKenzie will have a shot for the win from 47 metres out and nails it. McKenzie is the hero. Chiefs wins!! (CHI 26-24)
80 mins
The Chiefs are going nowhere with their attack and Kirifi comes through the middle to disrupt the ball but he knocks the ball on. The Chiefs will have a scrum on halfway as the siren goes.
79 mins
The Hurricanes are trying to run the clock down and Tupou Vaa'i wins a crucial penalty and the Chiefs will have a lineout 43 metres out.
76 mins
The Chiefs make a meal of the lineout and the Hurricanes clear and the home side have to build their attack on halfway. McKenzie fires a wide pass but Proctor intercepts it and the visitors have the ball 45 metres out.
McKenzie puts a high kick up but it goes way too far and it rolls dead to give the Hurricanes a scrum 30 metres out from the home sides line.
75 mins
The home side set up a lineout drive and they edge into the 22 before the Hurricanes stop its progress. After seven phases Isaia Walker-Leawere wins a crucial breakdown turnover to ease the pressure and Barrett clears but the Hurricanes aren't out of the woods yets. Lineout 35 metres out.
73 mins
The Hurricanes look to attack as Umaga-Jensen breaks down to the Chiefs 22. The next phase sees the visitors knock the ball on and McKenzie clears downfield. Barrett is back there to clean up and he is forced to clear into touch 30 metres out from his own line.
The Hurricanes are using their captains challenge for foul play and review there is no foul play so they lose their review.
70 mins
The Chiefs have an opportunity to strike back as they have a lineout on the Hurricanes 22 but Harris fails to throw the ball straight to give the Hurricanes a scrum.
68 mins - TRY Hurricanes to Asafo Aumua
The lineout is going nowhere before Amuma breaks off the back and no one will stop him as he powers his way over.
Barrett converts the try to put the Hurricanes back in front. (HUR 24-23)
67 mins
A great lineout maul goes inches short before Aumua goes inches short. The Chiefs give away a crucial penalty to stop the Hurricanes attack and Paull Willaims has put them on a team warning.
The Hurricanes go for another lineout.
66 mins
The Hurricanes are attacking well but it comes to nothing but the Chiefs give away a penalty and the visitors will have a lineout five metres out.
64 mins
Another huge scrum from the Chiefs sees Pita Gus Sowakula pick up from the back and storms off. He offloads to Lowe who breaks downfield before grubbing in behind but Fkanders cleans up.
A poor clearing kick invites more pressure on the Hurricanes but Kirifi wins a crucial breakdown penalty to ease the pressure.
61 mins
The Hurricanes have responded well after that penalty goal. The 'Canes fling it wide to Rayasi who stands in the tackle before offloading to Barrett. He grubbers down to the 22 before knee the ball on as he looks to regather he knocks the ball on with the try line at his mercy.
58 mins - Penalty goal Chiefs to McKenzie
A cheap penalty to give away for the Hurricanes. Barrett looks to clear and the forwards advance in front of the kicker before Barrett put them onside.
McKenzie will have a shot from 40 metres out and nails it to get an easy three points. (CHI 23-17)
55 mins
The Chiefs are looking dangerous with the ball in hand as Gatland makes a mini-break to the 10 metre line. After nine phases, the Hurricanes give away a penalty for Du’Plessis Kirifi playing the ball on the ground.
McKenzie will have a shot from 40 metres out and he misses it to the right.
52 mins - TRY Hurricanes to Billy Proctor
The Hurricanes respond well as Love dishes a great short ball to Flanders to strolls downfield to the Chiefs 22. Playing under advantage, Barrett and Raysai go close. Flanders who started the attack delivers a great short pass to Proctor who has just come on to crash over.
Barrett converts the try. (CHI 20-17)
48 mins - TRY Chiefs to Bryn Gatland
The Hurricanes produce a big scrum but Pita Gus Sowakula finds a way t get it out. He offloads to Weber who dishes it off to Gatland who uses great footwork to get through a big hole a crash over.
McKenzie converts the try. (CHI 20-10)
47 mins
A poor lineout from the home side works out well as it goes over the back. On the bounce, Gatland uses great soccer skills to chip over the top. He re-gathers and chips it off downfield. Barrett cleans up but loses control of the ball and a Hurricanes player picks it up from an offside position.
Penalty to the home side just five metres out and they choose a scrum.
44 mins
A good exit from the Chiefs following the try with McKenzie clearing down to halfway.
42 mins - Penalty goal Chiefs to McKenzie
The Chiefs get the first opportunity of the second half and edge themselves down to the Hurricanes 22. Play under advantage, the Hurricanes are looking strong in defence to force an error, but referee Paul Williams comes back for a breakdown penalty.
McKenzie will have a shot from 25 metres out and he nails it. (CHI 13-10)
Kickoff
Second half back underway through Gatland. The Chiefs need a win to edge closer to Super Rugby Aotearoa final.
No changes at half timne.
Halftime
The Hurricanes made a rip-roaring start to win the open ten minutes and they were rewarded when big lock James Blackwell scored a spectacular try. He sprinted 30 metres to score inside the opening two minutes.
The home side responded to dominate the remaining 30 minutes and saw Pita Gus Sowakula crash over after a huge scrum from the home side.
Barrett landed a monster penalty goal from 55 metres out to send the sides in level at half time.
40 mins - Penalty goal Hurricanes to Jordie Barrett
The Chiefs are looking dangerous with the ball in hand with Nanai-Seturo using his footwork to break tackles. After six phases, the Chiefs give away a breakdown penalty on halfway.
Barrett will have a shot from 55 metres out and he nails it. Is anyone surprised he loves long kicks. That levels the scores as the siren goes for halftime. (10-10)
37 mins
A great breakdown turnover from Boshier sees the home side get the ball back. Gatland clears down to the Hurricanes five-metre line and Love is forced to clear under pressure but it's not out.
McKenzie counter-attacks and is brought down inside the visitors 22 before Nankivell breaks down to the line but Campbell forces him into touch.
The Hurricanes clear through Barrett and the Chiefs attack but Ta'avao knocks the ball on to ease the pressure.
33 mins
The Hurricanes respond well after conceding the Chiefs opening try with Rayasi breaking down the wing. He offloads to Flanders but he is forced into touch 30 metres out from the home sides line.
31 mins - TRY Chiefs to Pita Gus Sowakula
The Chiefs are in front! A huge scrum from the home side sees them overpower the Hurricanes forwards. Pita Gus Sowakula picks it up at the back and just powers his way over.
McKenzie converts the try. (CHI 10-7)
29 mins
The lineout maul comes to nothing and sees the Chiefs go wide to their backs.
Playing under advantage, after 13 phases, McKenzie delivers a nice short pass to Lienert-Brown who crashes over but there is a question mark over the grounding with the Chiefs centre shaking his head as he gets up.
Replays show Lienert-Brown knocks the ball on so it's no try but Paul Williams comes back for a penalty. The Chiefs choose to take a scrum, five metres out from the Hurricanes defence.
27 mins
Huge scrum from the Chiefs who destroy the Hurricanes forwards. Gus Sowakula breaks off the back of the scrum before offloading to Lowe who is taken down on the 22.
After five phases, Gatland puts a nice grubber in behind but Love cleans up and is forced into touch five metres from his own line.
25 mins
The Hurricanes are looking to play at a high tempo and are keeping the ball alive. They offloading in contact to make their attack look dangerous but after five phases, Campbell tries to fool the defence with a dummy but he doesn't and knocks the ball on.
21 mins
Both sides are trading kicks looking for field possession before Love puts it into touch 35 metres out.
Chiefs fail to throw the ball straight and give the Hurricanes a scrum to ease the pressure they were building.
19 mins
The Chiefs are straight back onto the attack just short of the visitors 22. They are getting quick ball but there is accidental offside to give the 'Canes a scrum 30 metres out from their own line.
17 mins
Hurricanes first-five Love wins a high kick but the Chiefs win the ball back at the breakdown and set their attack 40 metres out. Boshier makes a mini-break, down into the Hurricanes 22. The next phase sees McKenzie goes for a crossfield chip kick to Pita Gus Sowakula puts it down with the line at his mercy.
13 mins - Penalty goal Chiefs to Damian McKenzie
The teams trade kicks before Nanai-Seturo, brings it back strongly as he runs over Goosen. Playing under advantage Gatland looks for a touch finding kick but it goes dead, but Paul Williams comes back for an offside penalty.
McKenzie will have a shot at goal from 43 metres out and makes no mistake. (HUR 7-3)
10 mins
The first opportunity for the Chiefs comes to nothing. Weber tries to be too clever as he tries a trick play and runs into his on player and knocks the ball on.
8 mins
Brad Weber tries to attack down the short-side before offloading to Etene Nanai-Seturo. Campbell covers well and forces Nanai-Seturo into touch 25 metres out.
The Hurricanes make a mistake at the lineout and the Chiefs look to attack. Weber looks to clear but it's touch and goes into touch, Lineout to the home side 22 metres out from the 'Canes line.
7 mins
The lineout maul goes nowhere and sees Laumape, go close. After five phases the attack comes to nothing but Paul Williams was playing advantage for offside and the 'Canes have a penalty.
The visitors choose to take a quick tap. The attack comes to nothing as Peter Umaga-Jensen puts down a simple pass. Big let-off for the Chiefs who have a scrum 10 metres out.
4 mins
Things go from bad to worse for the home side as Bryn Gatland kicks the restart out on the full. Scrum to the Hurricanes on halfway.
The visitors continue their fast start as Barrett makes a line break off the back of the scrum to get down to the 22.
Playing under advantage, Laumape grubbers in behind but Gatland cleans up but is forced to take it back into his own in-goal area. The 'Canes will go back for a penalty on the righthand side 22 metres out.
Barrett gives the Hurricanes a lineout five metres out.
2 mins - TRY Hurricanes to James Blackwell
What a start from the Hurricanes. Jordie Barrett returns a poor clearing kick from the Chiefs and counter attacks. From the next phase, a great short pass from Lomax puts Blackwell into a huge hole. The big lock shows some good pace and he sprints 25 metres to score under the posts.
Jordie Barrett adds the extras. (HUR 7-0)
Kick-off
Referee is Paul Williams and we are underway in the Tron.
7:05pm
A good crowd is in at FMG Stadium for this clash with high school students from around the region performing a powerful haka following the ANZAC ceremony.
7:03pm
One change for the Chiefs with Chase Tiatia unwell so Shaun Stevenson takes his spot on the bench.
7:02pm
Both teams out onto the pack with Hamilton putting on a great night for rugby. There is a chance of showers later on so fingers crossed it stays away.
Both sides are lined up on halfway to remember the ANZACS with a small ceremony performed to remember them.
*****
Kia ora, welcome to Newshub's live updates of the Super Rugby Aotearoa clash between the Chiefs and the Hurricanes from Hamilton's FMG Stadium.
It was the reverse fixture where the Chiefs ended their 11-game losing run with a come-from-behind victory at the Cake Tin to start their current four-match winning streak.
They have since snuck past the Blues, Highlanders - in golden point - and the champion Crusaders to have them in pole position for a spot in the inaugural Super Rugby Aotearoa final.
The Chiefs have two routes for a spot in the final. If they win their last two games - against the Hurricanes and Blues - they will play in the final, or if they claim victory tonght and the Blues lose to the Crusaders on Sunday, that will be enough to cement a spot in the decider.
The home side will be without key forward Luke Jacobson, who was ruled out with concussion, with Pita Gus Sowakula taking his spot at No.8.
Elsewhere, Damian McKenzie shifts from first-five back to fullback, with Bryn Gatland taking the reins in the No.10 jersey, shifting Chase Tiatia to the bench.
The Hurricanes are out of finals contention and are playing for pride, as they look to break their two game losing streak.
The visitors suffered a heartbreaking golden-point defeat to the Crusaders last time out and come to Hamilton hunting just their second win of the campaign.
They received some positive news this week, with Dane Coles - the first of their five All Blacks off contract - re-signing with the club to the end of the 2023 season.
The big change for the 'Canes sees motivational skipper Aridie Savea ruled out for two months with a knee injury, handing over the captaincy to Coles.
Du’Plessis Kirifi takes Savea's spot at openside flanker, with big lock Scott Scrafton the only other change to the starting pack.
In the backline, Salesi Rayasi returns in place of Julian Savea, who drops out of the 23.
TAB odds: Chiefs $1.43 Hurricanes $2.65
Chiefs: 1-Aidan Ross, 2-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3-Angus Ta'avao, 4-Tupou Vaa'i, 5-Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 6-Mitchell Brown, 7-Lachlan Boshier, 8-Pita Gus Sowakula, 9-Brad Weber (c), 10-Bryn Gatland, 11-Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12-Alex Nankivell, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 14-Jonah Lowe, 15-Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16-Nathan Harris, 17-Ollie Norris, 18-Sione Mafileo, 19-Samipeni Finau, 20-Kaylum Boshier, 21-Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22-Rameka Poihipi, 23-Chase Tiatia.
Hurricanes: 1-Xavier Numia, 2-Dane Coles, 3-Tyrell Lomax, 4-James Blackwell, 5-Scott Scrafton, 6-Reed Prinsep, 7-Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8-Devan Flanders, 9-Luke Campbell, 10-Ruben Love, 11-Salesi Rayasi, 12-Ngani Laumape, 13-Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14-Wes Goosen, 15-Jordie Barrett
Reserves: 16-Asafo Aumua, 17-Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18-Alex Fidow, 19-Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20-Vaea Fifita, 21-Brayden Iose, 22-Cam Roigard, 23-Billy Proctor
Blues 'backed into corner' against champion Crusaders
The Blues admit they've backed themselves into a corner and it's on them to find a way out if they're to nab a spot in the Super Rugby Aotearoa final.
After starting the year as one of the title favourites, their season now hangs in the balance, as they fight to stay in contention.
Leon MacDonald's side have lost their killer instinct in recent weeks, tasting defeat in three of their last four matches.
And after occupying one of the top two spots throughout Super Rugby Aotearoa, they've been overtaken by the Chiefs and have a fight on their hands to take it back.
"We're backed into a corner," Blues winger Caleb Clarke tells Newshub. "We have a challenge on our hands, we have to win these games, so I think we're really excited, especially as a team that's always thrived in desperate situations."
None more desperate than right now - a loss in either of their last two games will end their season.
Once again, the Blues face do-or-die rugby.
"We treat this like a quarter-final," Clarke adds. "We've got two games left and we can look at next week like a semi-final, but for now, this is how we look at it."
And to keep their season alive, they face a wounded Crusaders outfit, which have dropped two of their last three matches and will take a similar approach to the Blues into Sunday's clash.
"If we get the result, then we set ourselves up for a home final," says Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor. "I think our mindset has to be that this is a playoff game."
The defending champions were coasting up until their round five bye week, but they've shown vulnerabilities ever since.
"We always knew this was going to be a bloody hard competition," says Crusaders winger George Bridge. "You see what it's been like the last few weeks, and we've had some tough games and we were prepared for that."
But so long as the Blues are still a chance, they believe they can tip the Crusaders up.
"They're down right now, so that's our time to pounce," Clarke concludes.
The Blues' title drought will continue if they can't.
