The Chiefs claimed a convincing 36-14 win over the Highlanders in their pre-season warm-up match at Taupo on Saturday.
New Chiefs fly-half Gareth Anscombe - who joined the Hamilton-based franchise after being dumped by the Blues in 2012 - led the way with 21 points via a 2 tries, four conversions and a penalty.
The Chiefs' other points came through tries by Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Augustine Pulu and Fritz Lee. Hosea Gear - who captained the Highlanders - scored a try for the visitors and Tony Ensor also crossed the whitewash.
The Highlanders will play a second pre-season match against the Crusaders in Oamaru on Friday while the Chiefs will face the Reds on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on the same day.
The scorers:
For Chiefss:
Tries: Anscombe 2, Tikoirotuma, Pulu, Lee
Cons: Anscombe 4
Pen: Anscombe
For Highlanders:
Tries: Gear, Ensor
Cons: Sopoaga 2
Chiefs squad: Ben Afeaki, Bundee Aki, Gareth Anscombe, Sam Cane, Craig Clarke, Nick Croswell, Aaron Cruden, Hika Elliot, Ross Filipo, Michael Fitzgerald, Romana Graham, Andrew Horrell, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr Barlow, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Brendon Leonard, Pauliasi Manu, Rhys Marshall, Lelia Masaga, Liam Messam, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Patrick Osborne, Augustine Pulu, Brodie Retallick, Robbie Robinson, Solomoana Sakalia, Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith, Ben Tameifuna, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Michael Kainga, Michael Leitch, Matt Vant Leven, Maritino Nemani
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Buxton Popoalii, 13 Phil Burleigh, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Hosea Gear (captain), 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Frae Wilson, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: Jason Emery, Tony Ensor, Kade Poki, Hayden Parker, Trent Renata, Aaron Smith, Fumiaki Tanaka, Josh Bekhuis, Hugh Blake, Tom Franklin, Paul Grant, Brayden Mitchell, Bronson Murray & Sam Prattley.
Referee: Nick Briant
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