It wasn't that long ago that the Chiefs finished a season without a single win, and as wooden spooners of the inaugural Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2020.
Fast forward three years, and the Waikato-based franchise are unbeaten and tied for first with a game in hand over Saturday's opponents, the Hurricanes.
Head coach Clayton McMillan took over the side in 2021 on an interim basis, and led them to a surprise appearance in the final, where they were beaten by the Crusaders.
A semi-final defeat in 2022 followed, but after two years as the competition's nearly men, things are finally starting to click.
While back-to-to-back playoff appearances are nothing to scoff at, the 2023 Chiefs are setting the standard as early competition frontrunners.
Co-captain Sam Cane has attributed the team's past trials and tribulations to their success this season, and is delighted to see it finally come together.
"It's helped to have consistency in terms of squad and coaching over the last few years," he said.
"It helps that we've been through some challenging periods together as a group. We also have a really good mix of young guys, and experienced guys.
"There's real genuine depth within the squad. You see that in terms of selection each week. It's not often we're putting out the same starting 15, or 23.
"Guys are challenging for spots at training, and with that, comes a high level of intensity and all those little things that contribute to where we're sitting at the moment."
The Chiefs face their stiffest test so far this season in the form of the high-flying Hurricanes, with top spot up for grabs on Saturday.
But with wins already over the defending champion Crusaders and Blues, the side are more than battle-tested and see it as simply another hurdle they have to overcome.
"They're probably the best-attacking team in the competition, they score a lot of points and not just from getting into the 22m," Cane said.
"They can score from their side of halfway, their counter-attack, their ability off turnover ball - they're very good in those areas.
"They've come a long way in terms of their set piece as well in the last couple of seasons, they're the full package.
"There's an argument that two weeks ago against the Blues was the most important game of the season. This is now the top-the-table clash, and it's an important one too."
Join us 2:35pm Saturday for live updates of Chiefs v Hurricanes Super Rugby Pacific clash
