The Chiefs have run out 39-15 winners over the Waratahs with a clinical performance at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.
Darren Coleman’s side was left ruing poor handling in the second half, cruelling their changes of forcing an upset after clawing their way back into the game early in the second half.
The Chiefs were in control throughout the match, punishing Waratahs’ mistakes with a mix of brute force and clinical precision at set piece.
Waratahs captain Jake Gordon paid tribute to the Chiefs ability to capitalise on Waratahs mistakes.
"Credit to the Chiefs. They're a classy outfit and they've had the wood on us all year and were great tonight," said Waratahs captain Jake Gordon.
"They're really hard to contain when they get that front-foot ball and off turnover attack they're exceptional.
"They really punish you for your mistakes. We had opportunities in their 22 later in that game and we weren't good enough."
Warren Gatland’s men jumped out of the blocks, dominating the early exchanges, and raced out to a 10-0 lead courtesy of a Brad Weber try and Bryn Gatland penalty goal.
Dylan Pietsch got the Waratahs into the game, finishing off a Ben Donaldson inch-perfect grubber in the corner for his team’s opening try of the game.
Tane Edmed slotted the sideline conversion and added a penalty goal a few minutes later to level the scores at ten all.
The Chiefs started to pull away scoring two more tries before the break, with Luke Jacobson bursting through a five-metre attacking maul and Alex Nankivell capitalising on a poor pass from Tane Edmed attempting to play out of his 22m zone.
Bryn Gatland added a penalty goal on the stroke of half-time to give the Chiefs a 27-10 lead at the break.
The Waratahs showed plenty of fight to stay in the game, scoring the try of the match through Will Harris to get the scores to 27-15.
Harry Johnson-Holmes stole the ball from the Chiefs on the Waratahs 10-metre line, offloading to Michael Hooper who then found Will Harris in support, who raced 60 metres to score.
Unfortunately, that was as close as it got for the Waratahs as the Chiefs added two more tries through Brad Weber with his second of the game, and Pita Gus Sowakula.
Chiefs: 15 Emoni Narawa, 14 Jonah Lowe, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Bryn Gatland, 9 Brad Weber (captain), 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Naitoa Ah Khoi, 20 Mitch Brown, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Rameka Poihipi.
Waratahs: 15 Ben Donaldson, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Alex Newsome, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon (captain), 8 Will Harris, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Charlie Gamble, 5 Ned Hanigan, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Tom Horton, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Archer Holz, 19 Hugh Sinclair, 20 Jeremy Williams, 21 Langi Gleeson, 22 Jack Grant, 23 Jamie Roberts.
