The Chiefs proved all class as they took out the 49-34 win over the ACT Brumbies.
The win was far from all positives for the hosts, but they extended their lead at top of the SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific ladder in style.
Watch every match of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand exclusively on Stan Sport.
So what did we learn?
The Chiefs came away with the win but at what cost after Damian McKenzie’s injury?
McKenzie copped a nasty blow from team-mate Anton Lienert-Brown in a case of friendly fire in the lead-up to Andy Muirhead’s try.
He looked devastated as he limped off the field. The Chiefs were forced to play with 14 players after using all their subs.
McKenzie has been the form player of the competition ever since Super Rugby Pacific was created.
Any long term injury would be a hammer blow to the Chiefs and the comp.
Even with concerns around Damian McKenzie’s fitness, the Chiefs are clearly the team to beat in 2025.
There is class across the board in this side, even with Wallace Sititi and Etene Nanai-Seturo on the sidelines.
When their attack is flowing, they are near unstoppable and put the Brumbies to the sword at points of the match.
With the Blues struggling to start the year, the Chiefs will fancy their chances of improving in 2025.
The Brumbies looked like a completely different team from last week and showed they could be a real contender at points of this match.
They were patient with their build-up and clinical when they entered the 22, coming away with tries from 50% of their entries in the first half.
The game looked like it was about to develop into a blowout after the Chiefs scored quickly to start the second half, but the visitors’ resolve was excellent, and they stayed in the game until the last five minutes.
In the end, the Chiefs’ all-star cast was too much for them, but the Brumbies will back themselves to take it to them if they meet again in the finals with Noah Lolesio and Rob Valetini on deck.
If the All Blacks were picking on form from the first three rounds, Quinn Tuapea would be a lock for the centres and one of the first selected.
Tupaea has been on fire for the Chiefs to start the season, and he looked dangerous throughout the game against the Brumbies.
His burst to set up their opening try was excellent, but the staring play came in the second half.
He broke through the line and chips ahead for himself, winning the race to get the ball down for an incredible solo try.
He’s the form centre of SRP and is making a real case to start against the French.
Gideon Wrampling needs to buy a lotto ticket after this game. Let’s go through his opening involvements:
First touch: Finishes off Damian McKenzie's break for an untouched try
Second touch: Finishes off a dropped ball from Brumbies for an untouched try.
After his troubles with injuries in the past couple of years, he deserves a couple of good breaks to go his way.
