The Chiefs and the Hurricanes have fought out an an 18-18 stalemate at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.
Chiefs playmaker Stephen Donald missed a late chance for a winner when his dropped goal attempt was partially charged down to give the match a fair result.
With nothing more than the wooden spoon in the New Zealand conference on the line, the stage was set for Hurricanes prop Tialata's 100th Super Rugby game as he led the visitors out to battle.
With so much talk prior to kickoff about the off-field politics surrounding the visitors, the Chiefs looked to continue their misery when lock Craig Clark charged down Hurricanes' first five-eighths Aaron Cruden's late clearance kick, allowing centre Richard Kahui to dot down beside the posts.
Donald converted the try and gave the hosts a deserved lead.
That lead was extended to 10-0 when Hurricanes flanker Pat Lam put his hands in the ruck, which allowed for Donald to slot an easy three points.
The Hurricanes finally woke up and put some pressure on the hosts courtesy of a Cruden clearance kick that Chiefs' lock Isaac Ross smothered over the sideline.
After some pressure, Andrew Hore pirouetted his way over the line to reduce the deficit to 10-5.
The Chiefs could hardly be contained when they had the ball on attack and were clinical when they had an opportunity two minutes from halftime. A scrum 10 metres out gave a delighted Ross his fourth Super Rugby try after a second phase play saw him slide in to extend the lead back to ten at the break.
The Hurricanes must have got a fair talking to from Mark Hammett at halftime. A set piece move from a line-out saw Ma'a Nonu break out before finding Cory Jane on the wing.
Jane flung the ball inside in the hope somebody would be able to pick it up. They did, and the pass found Hosea Gear who dotted down for the visitors immediately early in the second half.
Cruden's sidline conversion saw the Wellington-based side find themselves just three points behind with barely two minutes added on the board since half-time.
All of a sudden the Chiefs were back-pedalling and any momentum they had in the first half was halted after they gave away an easy penalty that saw Cruden bring up 100 points for the season.
But as they often do, the Hurricanes decelerated once they drew level, allowing the Chiefs back into the match.
Donald gave the hosts the lead back with a quick penalty and had an opportunity to land a second that instead bounced off the post in favour of the visitors.
The match ebbed and flowed before the Hurricanes had an opportunity to take the lead when a set-piece play saw winger Julian Savea dive for the line, but his balance was restricted and he subsequently stepped out.
Still, it didn't stop the visitors from pressing forward, and they were rewarded with a Cruden penalty that tied the match and meant the game would go down to the wire.
But a willingness to kick the ball away meant there was no momentum gained by either team and no further point-scoring opportunities looked available.
There was one final chance but Donald's dropped goal attempt was partially charged down and denied the hosts victory.
As the whistle sounded Jane kicked the ball into touch to signal a fitting end to a closely contested match.
Chiefs 18
Tries: Richard Kahui, Isaac Ross
Con: Stephen Donald
Pen: Stephen Donald
Hurricanes 18
Tries: Andrew Hore, Hosea Gear
Con: Aaron Cruden
Pen: Aaron Cruden
HT: 15-5