RECAP: The Chiefs have ensured an all-NZ semi-finals thanks to a 46-24 win over the Queensland Reds in Hamilton.
It continues the drought of Australian teams winning finals games in New Zealand, now at 23 games.
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The Reds were more than in the game after taking the lead right before half-time.
However, tries on either side of the break proved pivotal as the Chiefs rallied behind fly-half Damian McKenzie.
He had a double and 26 points to guide the Chiefs home, with the only concern being a nasty head knock to Wallace Sititi.
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Chiefs 46-24: Isaac Hutchinson caps off a great performance with a brilliant try to close it out.
The fullback breaks some soft defence after a crazy flick pass from Damian McKenzie, diving over for a great try.
Chiefs 39-24: Lachie Anderson and Treyvon Pritchard combine for a late chance, with the Chiefs there to scramble.
Pritchard is put into space by Anderson and chips for himself, with the hosts desperate in their scramble to clean it up.
Chiefs 39-24: Damian McKenzie adds a valuable three points as the Chiefs look to close out the contest.
McKenzie slots it from right in front as the Chiefs look to seal the win.
Chiefs 36-24: Matt Faessler touches down at the back of the rolling maul to reduce the margin.
Faessler stays patient and peels away at the right time for the crucial five pointer
Chiefs 36-17: The Reds need points and they need points now as Fraser McReight comes up with a big pilfer on the Chiefs five metre.
It comes after the skipper is unable to re-gather a grubber, leaving it for the Chiefs to take as he gets over the ball.
Chiefs 36-17: Damian McKenzie gets his second to all but seal the win.
The Chiefs barge clear off their rolling maul and spread it wide to their flyhalf, who spins and dives over for his second.
Chiefs 29-17: It's the Reds turn to defend as they dig deep to keep themselves in the game.
They force the error and a great kick from Carter Gordon gives him the chance to turn the Chiefs over inside their half.
Chiefs 29-17: Sensational defence from the Chiefs as they hold on again on their goal-line.
Trevyon Pritchard dives for the line but there's at least five Chiefs covering to dump him into touch.
Chiefs 29-17: Super defence from the Chiefs as the Reds work inside their 22 for 27 phases to stop the Reds.
It's only a brief reprieve, with the Chiefs knocking the ball on as they try to recover a loose ball.
Chiefs 29-17: Damian McKenzie spies the Reds switched off and takes instant advantage of this for the try.
The Chiefs win another penalty and McKenzie takes the tap quick on the five metre line, diving over under the posts.
Chiefs 22-17: The Chiefs are back to full numbers and are on fire to start the second half.
They're winning the contact battle and pin the Reds inside their 22 after another scrum penalty,.
Chiefs 22-17: Kyren Taumoefolau dives over from close for a second and the Chiefs are back in front.
Filipo Daugunu goes for the turnover but just can't get it and the winger salutes for a crucial try
Reds 17-15: The Reds are under serious pressure as they defend their line.
They do well to rip the Chiefs five metres out, but the pass back from Zane Nonggorr goes over the in-goal line for a scrum to the Chiefs.
Reds 17-15: The Reds have hit the front as Carter Gordon slots the penalty goal from in front.
Josh Flook comes from the field, set for a HIA, replaced by Treyvon Pritchard.
Chiefs 15-14: A big blow for the Chiefs as Kyle Brown goes for ten for a high shot on Josh Flook.
Flook is collected by Quinn Tupaea initially, but Brown comes over the top and makes head-on-head contact, with referee James Doleman issuing the yellow card. Minimal chance this will be upgraded
Chiefs 15-14: Aidan Ross' first try in maroon comes at the perfect time as the prop dives over against his old side.
A bold call to turn down three with Salakaia-Loto in the bin pays off as the prop slams it down next to the posts.
Chiefs 15-7: Fraser McReight gives the Reds a perfect chance to strike after winning the pilfer inside the Chefs half.
It comes as the ruling on Lukhan Salakaia-Loto's hit stays a yellow, with the injury to Sititi deemed to be down to the accidental head contact as Sititi went to ground.
Chiefs 15-7: The Chiefs instantly cross with LSL off as Samisoni Taukei'aho salutes.
The hooker crosses again via the rolling maul as they pivot down the short side for the hooker to cross.
Chiefs 8-7: Serious concern for Wallace Sititi as he comes off second-best after a high collision with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, with the lock yellow carded under review.
Thoughts are with the number eight as the footage shows him seeming to convulse on the ground after copping a high shot from the lock, with LSL heading for ten.
Sititi stands up after several minutes on the ground, Salakaia-Loto goes over to check on him as he looks devastated following the freak incident.
Chiefs 8-7: The Chiefs suddenly flip field position after Tim Ryan drops the ball over the sideline.
It comes from a scrum penalty that the Chiefs clear their line from.
Chiefs 8-7: A half-break from Carter Gordon nearly delivers the goods after the Reds pinch the Chiefs lineout and march inside the 22.
Slight miscommunication costs them the try as Joe Brial switches back inside as Gordon throws him the pass, leading to the knock-on.
Chiefs 8-7: Cortez Ratima delivers the show and go and sparks the Chiefs onto the attack inside the Reds 22.
The Reds do well to hang tough, coming up with the turnover via Joe Brial as Josh Flook clears their line.
Chiefs 8-7: A perfect bounce back for the Chiefs as Kyren Taumoefolau dives over for the instant response.
The try is all down to Cortez Ratima, capitalising on the loose ball from a high ball as he sprints into the 22, with the winger crashing over the next phase.
Reds 7-3: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto barges over for the perfect response from the Reds.
Fraser McReight bursts through and nearly loses it, somehow holding onto the ball, falling to the ground. The Reds stay patient and build several penalty advantages but don't need it as the lock powers through off a strong carry from Tate McDermott.
Chiefs 3-0: The Chiefs don't wait long to add first points as Damian McKenzie slots the penalty from right in front, 30 metres out.
Former Chiefs Aidan Ross is pinged for offside and the playmaker makes no mistake.
Jock Campbell has a horror start for the Reds as the kick-off goes straight out on the full.
The conditions haven't improved as the Chiefs feed the scrum on halfway, working their way inside the Reds half.
Tries: Taumoefolau 2, Taukei'aho, McKenzie 2, Hutchinson
Cons: McKenzie 5/6
Pens: McKenzie 2/2
Tries: Salakaia-Loto, Ross, Faessler
Cons: Gordon 3/3
Pens: Gordon 1/1
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Chiefs-Reds qualifying final in Hamilton.
Conditions look absolutely atrocious at FMG Stadium, with the rain pleting down.
A late change for the Chiefs: Liam Coombes-Fabling is out, replaced by Daniel Sinkinson.
The Reds need to make history to advance, while the Chiefs can book a home final with a win.
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Sione Ahio, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Daniel Sinkinson, Isaac Hutchinson
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Leroy Carter
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Filipo Daugunu, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Matt Faessler, George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Ben Volavola, Treyvon Pritchard
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman
The Reds' clash with the Chiefs will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 4:30 pm with kickoff expected at 5:05 pm.
