Ma'a Nonu led from the front and scored a match-winning try for the Hurricanes in their season-saving 33-27 Super 14 rugby defeat of the Chiefs here tonight.
The hosts somehow emerged on top in a frantic game which saw Chiefs first five-eighth Callum Bruce miss a straightforward penalty shot with two minutes remaining that would have handed his side the lead and a potential upset win.
Instead Hurricanes prop Tialata drove over for just his third try in 85 matches for the franchise on the final hooter, earning a bonus point which could yet grant them a late entry into the competition semifinals.
The Hurricanes climb to within two points of the top four, with matches remaining against the Reds and Waratahs while the Chiefs remain stuck in mid-table, having gone winless through four matches.
Down by 16 points after half an hour, the Hurricanes dominated possession and the penalty count in the second half to surge back, with Nonu a constant menace on attack.
He scored the decisive try to give his team the lead with just 5min remaining, storming 30m after a sharp break from deep by winger Hosea Gear.
They then breathed a collective sigh of belief when Bruce botched his penalty shot. His team landed just three from seven shots, let down again by poor goalkicking following their awful efforts in last last week's 25-all draw with the Cheetahs.
Both sides scored four tries, with the Chiefs securing theirs inside the opening 29 minutes as the Hurricanes made a wealth of mistakes during the opening stanza.
Tries to second five-eighth Jackson Willison, prop Sona Taumalolo, fullback Tim Nanai-Williams and flanker Liam Messam pushed them 24-8 clear but Nonu jinked over soon before halftime to reduce the deficit and his team weren't so generous after the break.
They tightened their defence, improved their handling in the swirling winds and developed a better rapport with referee Vinny Munro, who sinbinned Chiefs reserve flanker Luke Braid with 20min remaining for persistent team offending.
Of concern to the Hurricanes and All Blacks selectors was the sight of centre Conrad Smith and hooker Andrew Hore both limping from the game in the final quarter. Smith suffered multiple blows to the head during the match while Hore was favouring his hand.
The winners will hope both are available for Friday's crunch match against the Reds, also in Wellington.
The Chiefs can play spoilers on Saturday when they host the Waratahs in Hamilton.
