The Chiefs moved above the Crusaders and into the overall top spot in Super Rugby by beating the Rebels 36-15 with a bonus point.
The Chiefs outscored the Rebels by five tries to two which earned them the extra point which puts them 1 point ahead of the Crusaders on 42 points.
The Chiefs did all of the damage in the opening half as they led 26-3 at half time and allowed the Rebels to come back in the second half.
The Chiefs were a lot more subdued in the second half and only added the first points for the second half in the 69th minute.
Three minutes later Andrew Horrell scored what turned out to be a crucial try as the Rebels scored their second try in the 74th minute which would have cost the Chiefs a bonus point had Horrell not scored earlier.
Seta Tamanivalu set the tone for the opening onslaught with a try in the third minute after the Chiefs pack had marched the Rebels back 20 metres.
Brad Weber moved the ball wide where Tamanivalu wrong-footed Mitch Inman and Reece Hodge to cross near to the posts.
The Rebels were outplayed in every department in the opening exchanges as the Chiefs corrected all the errors that had slipped into their game.
After forward power set up the first try, the second came from a delicate Aaron Cruden chip kick behind the Rebels defensive line which hooker Nathan Harris pounced on for the five-pointer.
With the Rebels falling off tackles, Toni Pulu came off his wing to score the bonus point try in the 23rd minute when a dummy pass from scrum-half Brad Weber opened a hole close to the ruck.
But, after Cruden scored to put the Chiefs up 26-3, the Rebels enjoyed 10 minutes of dominance through to half-time without converting possession into points.
Three times skipper Nic Stirzaker turned down shots at goal in favour of an attacking lineout and each time they came up empty handed.
The Rebels resurgence continued at the start of the second half when Harris scored and converted for a total of 10 points.
The second half finished with a try for each side which ensured a fast finish after a subdued second half from the hosts.
Next week in Round 14 the Chiefs travel to Sydney to play the Waratahs and the Rebels host the Force in Melbourne on Sunday.
Final Score Chiefs 36 (26) Rebels 15 (3)
Scorers
Chiefs
Tries – S.Tamanivalu, N.Harris, T.Pulu, A.Cruden, A Horrell
Pen – A.Cruden
Con – A.Cruden 2, A.McKenzie
Drop –
Cards –
Rebels
Tries – M.Harris, R.Hodge
Pen – M.Harris
Con – M.Harris
Drop –
Cards –
Match Officials
Referee: Angus Gardiner
Assistant Ref 1:Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2:Angus Mabey
TMO :Ben Skeen
Teams
Chiefs
1. Mitchell Graham , 2. Nathan Harris , 3. Hiroshi Yamashita , 4. Dominic Bird , 5. Brodie Retallick , 6. Taleni Seu , 7. Sam Cane, (cc) , 8. Michael Leitch , 9. Brad Weber , 10. Aaron Cruden (cc) , 11. James Lowe , 12. Anton Lienert-Brown , 13. Seta Tamanivalu , 14. Toni Pulu , 15. Damian McKenzie
Replacements : 16. Hika Elliot , 17. Kane Hames , 18. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi , 19. Michael Allardice , 20. Tom Sanders , 21. Kayne Hammington , 22. Andrew Horrell , 23. Sam Vaka
Rebels
1. Toby Smith, 2. James Hanson, 3. Jamie Hagan, 4. Sam Jeffries, 5. Lopeti Timani , 6. Colby Fainga’a, 7. Sean McMahon, 8. Adam Thomson, 9. Nic Stirzaker (captain), 10. Jack Debreczeni, 11. Tom English , 12. Reece Hodge, 13. Mitch Inman, 14. Sefa Naivalu, 15. Mike Harris
Replacements : 16. Siliva Siliva , 17. Cruze Ah Nau, 18. Tim Metcher, 19. Culum Retallick, 20. Jordy Reid, 21. Ben Meehan, 22. Jonah Placid, 23. Kotaro Matsushima
