The Chiefs have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a Super Rugby Pacific thriller against the Crusaders, scoring in the final seconds for a 24-21 victory at Christchurch.
Winless against the Crusaders on their home turf since 2016, the Chiefs were made to work for their drought-breaking victory - and were justly rewarded as replacement back Rameka Pohipi scored with the final play of the game.
Both sides had been struck by suspected COVID-19 prior to kick-off, with the Crusaders having to scratch four players for what the team described as "medical grounds", while the Chiefs were forced to name a matchday 23 without the likes of co-captain Brad Weber during the week.
And in particular missing captain Scott Barrett as one of the four withdrawn, the Crusaders conceded the opening try on 14 minutes, as Shaun Stevenson dotted down in the corner at 7-3.
But not to be outdone, the Crusaders hit back just five minutes later, as David Havili pounced on a loose ball after a footrace between Ethan Blackadder and Pita Gus Sowakula to score for the Crusaders.
Richie Mo'unga and Bryn Gatland traded penalties before halftime, as the Crusaders took a 14-10 advantage into the break.
That became 21-10 after halftime, when Braydon Ennor was on the receiving end of a miraculous no-look inside ball from Codie Taylor and scored the Crusaders' second of the night.
The Crusaders looked as though they would hold onto that lead and maintain their unbeaten record in 2022, as the Chiefs looked to have scored just a consolation try in the 76th minute, when Stevenson went over for his second.
And as the Crusaders were worked for a defensive effort that saw them make 219 tackles - 115 more than the Chiefs' 104 - the hosts' defence finally relented after the siren.
A sustained period of attacking pressure saw the Chiefs camped on the Crusaders' tryline, before firing the pass wide to Poihipi to score the decisive try for his maiden points in Super Rugby - and earn his side a famous victory.
Even in defeat, the Crusaders still managed a bonus point that keeps them second on the overall ladder, three points behind the Brumbies after four matches played.
The Chiefs meanwhile move from eighth to fifth, behind the Blues on points differential - both with two wins, one defeat and a game in hand each.
Crusaders 21 (Havili 19' Ennor 45' tries; Mo'unga 46' conversion; Mo'unga 7', 37', 44' penalties)
Chiefs 24 (Stevenson 14', 76', Poihipi 82' tries; Gatland 15', 77', 83' conversions; Gatland 30' penalty)
