Alex Nankivell and Etene Nanai-Seturo scored try doubles, as their Chiefs maintained their Super Rugby Pacific dominance over newcomers Moana Pasifika 45-12 at Hamilton.
After massive pre-season and regular season wins already during this campaign, the Waikato side have quickly established the wood over the Pacific Islanders and continued to exert that supremacy on their home turf.
Their last outing was a demoralising whitewash at the hands of the rampant Blues, so the Chiefs were desperate for a performance to erase that from their memories. Despite the scoreline, they barely got out of second gear against a side playing their sixth game in three weeks.
The blueprint for the contest was set within seconds of kickoff, when Moana Pasifika hooker Ray Nuia had his lineout throw stolen, a trend that absolutely plagued him and replacement Sam Moli throughout.
Time and time again, the visitors would win a penalty and establish position near the tryline, only to lose an attacking lineout and have to retreat back into their own half to start again.
The Chiefs' dominance of the set-piece established the foundation for their performance, with Nanai-Seturo, in particular, providing the razzle dazzle and Bryn Gatland's faultless goalkicking laying the icing on the cake.
The only sour notes for them were injuries to All Blacks halfback Brad Weber and winger Shaun Stevenson, adding to a body count that already includes internationals Brodie Retallick and Anton Lienert-Brown.
Moana Pasifika managed two tries to delight their fans, but never really threatened a comeback.
Next week, the Chiefs open their trans-Tasman account against the Waratahs on Friday, while Moana Pasifika must regroup against Western Force.
Chiefs 45 (Jacobson, Reihana, Nankivell 2 & Nanai-Seturo 2 tries, Gatland 6 conversions & penalty) Moana Pasifika 12 (Tuitavuki & Kata tries, McClutchie conversion)
