Chiefs upset Crusaders

All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivavatu (pictured) scored two tries to seal Waikato's surprise win, which kept the Chiefs' semi-finals hopes alive and threatens Canterbury's chances of hosting the final.

"We did what we had to do. We can only sit back now and see what happens," Waikato captain Tom Willis said in a televised interview.

"I'm very proud of the guys tonight. History was not in our favour."

New Zealand test captain Richie McCaw scored a last-minute try to earn the Crusaders a vital bonus point for losing by seven points or less.

The bonus point guaranteed Canterbury a spot in next week's play-offs but they could finish the regular season in second place if South Africa's Sharks win their last match against the Stormers in Cape Town.

The top two teams each host semi-finals, with the highest placed semi-final winner also hosting the final.

Waikato's victory lifted them to third place in the standings, level with the Sharks, but still not certain of a place in the playoffs.

Auckland and the Bulls are both able to leapfrog them if they win their final matches.

The Crusaders, who have won the Super 12 or Super 14 title six times including each of the past two seasons, had not been beaten at home for three seasons before Friday's defeat.

This was also their second defeat in a row after they lost to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra a week ago.

Like the Chiefs, the Crusaders scored two tries, with lock Ross Filipo crossing midway through the first half, but kicking proved the difference.

Stephen Brett booted four penalties and a conversion for the Crusaders but his haul was bettered by Stephen Donald's six penalties and a conversion.

"The Chiefs really put us under pressure and forced us to make mistakes," McCaw said.

"We just have to make sure we're ready to go next week."