KEY POINTS:
Should the Chiefs reach the semifinals next month, they'll look back on the last 10 minutes at Queenstown as one of the keys to making it.
Having taken part in a match which provided rousing entertainment for the neutrals but probably gave both coaches palpitations, the Chiefs have zoomed up the Super 14 ladder from 11th to 5th - or 6th depending on whether the Brumbies beat the Waratahs late last night.
In that closing stage, the Chiefs regained the lead with the 10th and final try of a hectic afternoon, then nabbed three successive Highlanders throw-ins as they mounted a spirited defence of their line.
The result meant they collected their eighth bonus point of the competition - equal best with the Crusaders - and that's compelling evidence they have been close most of the season, despite winning only three of their nine games.
"I know some people have been writing us off, but we've always been in the hunt," coach Ian Foster said yesterday.
"It's a long competition and a matter of just keeping chugging on."
The one jarring note for the Chiefs was the recurrence of a right shoulder problem within the first 20 minutes for centre Richard Kahui.
A pre-season injury has played havoc with his campaign, which has produced one full game and two false starts.
The Highlanders also suffered an injury blow, losing All Black lock James Ryan in the opening minutes.
A scan tomorrow on his left knee will clarify how long he will be sidelined.
This was not a game the defensive coaches will relish watching again. Several tries were directly attributable to handling or passing bungles.
In the second half, things got a bit harem-scarem at times, but in purely enjoyment terms for the crowd, it was top value.
The Chiefs showed a belief in themselves to keep an attacking mindset, and got the ultimate reward, if not before surviving some nervy moments.
Sitiveni Sivivatu scored two tries from fullback - one on the receiving end of a fine, angled break by Roy Kinikinilau, the other a powerful surge between, and past, three tacklers - and ran with strength and purpose.
Right wing Lelia Masaga's two in the second half showed good finishing instincts and the Chiefs' opening effort by second five-eighth Niva Ta'auso, came from one of several powerful bursts by No 8 Sione Lauaki.
The Chiefs got good value from Lauaki and lock Kristian Ormsby, who has had a good campaign, and when Jono Gibbes came on for Ormsby in the latter stages, he stuck up a hand to get a vital touch and pinch one of those important late lineouts when composure was called for, and produced.
But neither lineout functioned as well as the teams would have hoped, and there were too many mistakes for the game to be remembered as a classic.
Stephen Donald should have happy memories of Queenstown.
The Chiefs first five-eighth bagged a fine six-from-six with his goalkicking in tricky conditions.
The glum look on Highlanders coach Greg Cooper's face afterwards told a story. They needed the home win. They're not out of it, but their run home is testing.
The Chiefs, also on 22 points, fight on, hosting the Force in Hamilton next Saturday.
