The battling Chiefs rallied from 20-0 down after 20 minutes to beat the reigning champion Crusaders 40-27 in a 10-try Super Rugby derby in Fiji which just keeps their play-off hopes alive.

The Crusaders made a quick start at the National Stadium on Saturday, scoring tries through Scott Barrett, Mitchell Drummond and Fiji-born Sevu Reece to open a 20-0 lead in even time.

But the match turned from the half hour point as the Chiefs scored three tries in nine minutes – through Solomon Alaimalu, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Jesse Parete – to make the score 20-19 after a six-try first half.

The Crusaders scored through winger Braydon Ennor to expand their lead to 27-19 at the start of the second half but the Chiefs hit back again with a try to live-wire halfback Brad Weber to restore a one-point margin.

The Chiefs finally hit the front in the 66th minute when winger Shaun Stevenson broke the line and touched down under the posts, with Jack Debreczeni’s conversion gave the Chiefs their first lead at 33-27.

Replacement Tumua Manu then pounced on a short 22 restart in the 78th minute to score the try which sealed the Chiefs’ win and denied the Crusaders a bonus point.

The Crusaders have begun to stagger in the late stages of the season, drawing two and losing one of their last four games.

They still need two points to clinch first place and home advantage throughout the play-offs.

The Chiefs have only a faint chance of reaching the top eight with one match remaining against the Melbourne Rebels.

“That was seriously tough but, gee, it was satisfying too,” said Chiefs captain Sam Cane.

“There was a lot of early chat that we were out of it but, man, we were working hard and we knew they were too. And around the 30 minute mark things just seemed to open up a little bit.”