The Chiefs have suffered a shock 36-32 loss to the Lions in a pulsating Super Rugby match in Hamilton tonight.

Heavy favourites going into the second-round match at FMG Stadium Waikato, the hosts were always left chasing the game, and left a sorry lot after botching a last-gasp chance to win it.

Tom Sanders scoring a try in the first half. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

After the Lions dominated the first half with their love for scrummaging, and the Chiefs getting on the wrong side of referee Andrew Lees, everyone was waiting for a home-team comeback. While it came in patches, the Lions came away delighted after defending a couple of late rolling mauls brilliantly.

Needing to find something special, the Chiefs had Brad Weber dive over with 10 minutes to play, then after twice kicking to touch and forming a maul in the final minutes, they were unable to come up with the goods.

Down 19-11 at the break the Chiefs were left to find some inspiration, but having been issued a team warning in the first spell, they went down to 14 men just two minutes into the second, when halftime replacement Mitchell Graham was sinbinned for slowing down ruck ball.

It was just after that that Brodie Retallick left the field in a sore hunch, and Lions winger Courtnal Skosan skinned them down the left flank to make it 24-11.

Despite super tries to Damian McKenzie and James Lowe, and the Chiefs then sneaking ahead 25-24, their fight wasn't to be.

Just as the 15,459 crowd had found their voice, they were sunk back down when Lions skipper Warren Whiteley crashed through some tired bodies to give his side the lead back. Things then got very edgy when winger Ruan Combrinck waded his way over with quarter of an hour to go, making it 36-25.

The Chiefs come away with a bonus point and now head to South Africa and Argentina to face the Kings and Jaguares.

Lions 36 (Malcolm Marx, Courtnal Skosan, Warren Whiteley, Ruan Combrinck tries; Elton Jantjies 2 con, 4 pen)

Chiefs 32 (Tom Sanders, Damian McKenzie, James Lowe, Brad Weber tries; Damian McKenzie 3 con, 2 pen) HT: 19-11.

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