Trailing by four points deep into stoppage time, the Chiefs had the final say. Luke Jacobson went close before Gibson Popoali’i muscled over in the 92nd minute to steal the win at the death. Both sides gave their extended squads valuable minutes, with new recruits impressing in an entertaining, high-scoring affair. The pre-season hit-out provided plenty of attacking rugby while also giving both teams plenty to work on defensively. For now, that wraps things up in this one. Thanks for tuning into Tribe.

The third period saw the lead swing back and forth, with both sides showing attacking flair. Oscar Koller burst through to score for the Chiefs in the 69th minute, but the Hurricanes quickly responded through Sam Coles after a brilliant linebreak from Fehi Fineanganofo. Liam O’Connor then pounced on a loose ball from a ricocheting cross-kick to give the Hurricanes their first lead of the match in the 78th minute. The Chiefs struck back immediately, spreading the ball wide for Peniasi Malimali to score in the 81st, before Logan Wallace powered over for the Hurricanes in the 87th to take the lead.

The Hurricanes stormed back in the second period, cutting the deficit to just five points. Devan Flanders sparked the comeback with a powerful finish off a scrum in the 31st minute, followed by Kade Banks showing his speed to dive over six minutes later. Harry Godfrey added another for the Hurricanes after a slick backline move off a midfield scrum, but the Chiefs responded through Carter’s second try of the game, as Oscar Koller’s offload put him over down the left. With the game tightening up, both teams looked to up the tempo heading into the third and final period.

The Chiefs edge the Hurricanes by just three points in a thrilling pre-season clash in New Plymouth, with a last-gasp try sealing the win after three fast-paced periods of rugby. The match started with the Chiefs dominating the opening period, racing out to a 17 point lead. Etene Nanai-Seturo’s break set up the first try for Bradley Slater in the 16th minute, before the hooker crossed again off the back of a rolling maul in the 25th. The Chiefs continued to find space out wide, with Xavier Roe putting Leroy Carter over in the corner to cap off a dominant first period.

Koller nails the goal from just to the right of the posts, and that is full time.

POPOALI'I STEALS IT! CHIEFS WIN! Penalty Chiefs and Sinton taps quickly, stopped just 6m short. Pick and goes for the forwards now as the 'Canes hold on desperately. Malimali has a go, stopped just metres away. Jacobson goes very close, before Popoali'i reaches out to score, showing great power!

Free kick Chiefs at the scrum as the Hurricanes went early. Wrampling offloads for Reti to bust towards halfway. Quick recycle for Malimali, and he breaks past two to be stopped 18m short. Short ball for Norris and he is stopped in centre field. Reti has a go, dragged down in a good tackle.