A dominant performance from Damian McKenzie has helped get the heavyweight Chiefs back on track in Super Rugby Pacific with a 46-29 home win over Fijian Drua.
Favoured to take over the All Blacks playmaker role this season, McKenzie was at his creative best on Saturday and also kicked seven of eight attempts at goal as the Chiefs bounced back from their away loss to the Queensland Reds last round.
Centre Iosefo Masi bagged a brace of tries in the first half for the Drua, who were coming off an upset home win over the Crusaders.
But they were outclassed in Hamilton as the Chiefs ran in six tries, with flanker Kaylum Boshier bagging a double.
Halfback Cortez Ratima, wingers Daniel Rona and Etene Nanai-Seturo and fullback Shaun Stevenson also crossed for the hosts.
"There were probably a few stages there where we got a bit too loose with ball in hand but it's awesome when we can get some of those plays to come off," Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson said.
"It's pretty nice to watch."
The biggest concern for the Chiefs was the loss of All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown to concussion in the second half.
With Reuters.
