The Super Rugby champion Chiefs ran in six tries in a convincing 38-8 bonus point victory over the Lions in Hamilton to get back to winning ways after two successive defeats and reclaim top spot in the New Zealand conference.
Three tries in five minutes around half-time blew open what had been a relatively even contest with prop Pauliasi Manu securing the bonus point when he bulldozed over two minutes after the break.
Backs Bundee Aki and Tim Nanai-Williams crossed in the last 10 minutes to put a gloss on a result that lifted the Chiefs to third in the overall standings.
The Lions scored a well-worked try through winger Courtnall Skosan after 46 minutes but played too much rugby in their own half in falling to a fourth straight defeat, their good start to the season now a fading memory.
