Cortez Ratima of the Gallagher Chiefs on the run during Chiefs v Force, Super Rugby Pacific at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui, on Anzac Day. Photo: Jeremy Ward / Photosport
In a weird and wild clash in Tauranga, the Chiefs have piled on the points to crush the Western Force 56-22.
Several lead changes, the ultimate case of being caught napping, flankers playing on the wing, and eleven tries made for a captivating Anzac Day contest.
Emoni Narawa would score the first try as he latched onto a pinpoint Josh Jacomb chip, before the Force caught the home side completely unaware.
With water boys still on the field hydrating the Chiefs, the Force took a rapid restart, and Harry Potter beat all to the ball and to the try-line.
The Chiefs' Kaylum Boshier made it across for a contentious try, in which play had moved right up to the other end of the field - the TMO calling things back for a lengthy review and eventual award of the try - giving the Chiefs a ten point lead at the break.
The wheels would fall off the Force after oranges though, three quick tries after half-time - two to Cortez Ratima - sealing the result.
Harry Potter produced some magic to give his side a glimmer of hope with a slickly taken try, but the table topping Chiefs proved why they are being touted as prime title contenders.
Coach Clayton McMillan made several interesting positional changes late in the piece, including moving Ratima to centre and Boshier to the wing.
The match also marked the first time Quinn Tupaea and Darcy Swain have shared a field since Swain nearly ended the promising centre's career back in Bledisloe 2022.
Wallace Sititi made a grand return, busting the Force line wide open with just his second touch of the ball in a classy eleven minutes off the pine.
The only blemish for the home side, the sight of Anton Lienert-Brown sporting a sling at the end of the game.
Catch up on the action with RNZ's play-by-play blog:
Team lists
Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Kaylum Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson (C), 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Daniel Rona, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Wallace Sititi, 22. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 23. Kaleb Trask
Western Force: 1. Ryan Coxon, 2. Nic Dolly, 3. Tom Robertson, 4. Jeremy Williams (c), 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Will Harris, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 9. Henry Robertson, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Bayley Kuenzle, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Sio Tomkinson, 14. Harry Potter, 15. Mac Grealy
Bench: 16. Tom Horton, 17. Atu Moli, 18. Josh Smith, 19. Sam Carter, 20. Reed Prinsep, 21. Doug Philipson, 22. Max Burey, 23. George Poolman
