The Chiefs have powered into the Super Rugby Pacific semifinals with an impressive display in Hamilton.
The Chiefs ran in six tries in a 43-21 rout of the Queensland Reds in their quarterfinal at FMG Stadium Waikato on Friday night, reaching the final four for the eighth time in the 29-year history of Super Rugby.
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It was a first-half blitz that delivered the Chiefs the win, taking a 31-0 lead by halftime, with a double from hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and other tries from wings Emoni Narawa and Etene Nanai-Seturo.
Reds halfback Tate McDermott fought to get the Reds back into the match with a second-half double, but the Chiefs sealed the victory with tries to All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown and reserve hooker Bradley Slater.
The result avenged a 25-19 loss to the Reds in Brisbane on March 9 for the fourth-seeded Chiefs.
The Reds believed they were true title contenders but their dreams were shattered inside 20 minutes in The Tron.
The Chiefs raced to a 21-0 lead through the Taukei'aho double and one to Narawa.
The All Blacks front-rower bumped off and dragged six Reds defenders to score his first in the sixth minute, then collected a speculative behind-the-back pass from Narawa as he fell over the sideline, running 20m to dot down in the 16th minute.
A brilliant chip from first-five Damian McKenzie and regather and kick-on from fullback Shaun Stevenson set up the Chiefs' fourth try for Nanai-Seturo and match-winning halftime lead.
Queensland briefly threatened a fightback with the first try of the second half through co-captain and Wallabies No 9 Tate McDermott.
But normal service resumed as Lienert-Brown crossed for the Chiefs' fifth try in the 55th minute. McDermott grabbed a second for the Reds but it was merely a consolation, before Slater went over from a 5m lineout drive.
The Chiefs, who improved to 10-0-5 for the season, now await the results of Saturday's three quarterfinals to learn their semifinal opponent.
If the Hurricanes defeat the Melbourne Rebels (kick-off 4.35pm), the Chiefs will head to Wellington. The Blues also host the Fijian Drua (kick-off 7.05pm) and the Highlanders face the ACT Brumbies (kick-off 9.35pm NZT).
Chiefs 43 (Samisoni Taukei'aho 2, Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Anton Lienert-Brown, Bradley Slater tries; Damian McKenzie 5 con, pen) Queensland Reds 21 (Tate McDermott 2, Lawson Creighton tries; Tom Lynagh con, Lawson Creighton 2 con). HT: 31-0
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