But fittingly the game ended with an error and the Chiefs prevailed 28-21 in Hamilton on Saturday.
The visitors threatened to snatch a shot at victory with a late flurry.
They strung together 12 phases in pursuit of a fourth second-half converted try which would have sent the game to golden point.
But midfielder Sam Gilbert fumbled a pass and the opportunity was lost.
And that moment summed up the Highlanders’ game.
They produced a bumbling, error-ridden first half.
First five Rhys Patchell kicked the ball out on the full from his first two touches.
Dynamic winger Timoci Tavatavanawai picked up a yellow card in the 12th minute for entering the ruck from the wrong side.
Gilbert hit the post from a penalty attempt 10 minutes later with his side trailing 14-0.
Folau Fakatava fumbled the ball at the back of a ruck in shadow of the posts.
Henry Bell threw the ball out the back of the lineout.
Tom Sanders knocked it on in contact a minute later.
You get the picture.
Ugly stuff.
They rounded out the half when Tanielu Tale'a got yellow card for a clean out on Quinn Tupaea.
His shoulder made contact with the head so it was a clear foul.
Moments later, Rameka Poihipi ran through the gap where Tale'a would have been.
There was more bad news at the start of second spell when the yellow Tale’a coped was upgraded to a red.
The hole got deeper when Damian McKenzie collected a Highlanders kick on the bounce and scampered down the touch.
He got an inside pass to halfback Cortez Ratima, who broke last line of defence and scored.
The Highlanders had actually enjoyed a lot of territory and possession and finally got some reward. Tavatavanawai crashed over from a tap move close to the line with 20 minutes to go.
Chiefs loose forward Luke Jacobson picked up a yellow card for a high tackle in the 65th minute and that helped clear the way for the Highlanders to have a late dip.
Jona Nareki got a stunning off-load to Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens who finished off, and replacement No 8 Nikora Broughton dived on some loose ball under the posts to set up a tense finish.
The Highlanders mounted one last challenge but it ended with Gilbert grassing a tough pass.
The win lifted the Chiefs to 18 points, while the Highlanders are on 11 points.
The Blues (17 points) kept the Crusaders (two points) winless for another week with a 26-6 win at Eden Park.
The Force (five points) dispatched the Reds (15 points) 40-31 at home.
Replacement center Kemu Valetini kicked a drop goal to clinch a golden-point 39-36 win for the Fijian Drua (nine points) against the Waratahs (seven points) in Lautoka.
The visitors had fought back from a 16-point deficit to force extra time.
On Friday, the unbeaten Hurricanes (22 points) dispatched the Rebels (10 points) 54-28 in Wellington and the Brumbies (18 points) were too strong for Moana Pasifika (nine points) at home, winning 60-21.
Super Rugby Pacific
The scores
Chiefs 28
Daniel Rona, Bradley Slater, Rameka Poihipi, Cortez Ratima tries; Damian McKenize 4 con
Highlanders 21
Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Nikora Broughton tries; Sam Gilbert 3 con
Halftime: 21-0
