The Chiefs' Super Rugby season is in disarray with the Waikato-based side now facing an uphill battle to qualify for the playoffs after going down 23-16 to the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Friday.
The Waratahs dominated the first half but needed a late penalty to kill off a desperate comeback bid by the visitors and the Chiefs captain Liam Messam was left to rue another game where simple errors cost his side dearly.
The Waratahs improved to 4-2 in the competition to cement their second ranking in the Australian conference but the Chiefs with 2 wins and 5 losses are bottom equal in the New Zealand conference with the Hurricanes heading into the bye next weekend.
Meanwhile the Highlanders stunned the ACT Brumbies with two first-half tries in as many minutes then weathered a spirited fightback with 14 men to grind out a scrappy 26-20 victory in Invercargill.
The victory was the Highlanders' fourth from six games and lifts Jamie Joseph's men to second place in the New Zealand conference and fifth in the overall competition standings.
