The Chiefs delivered one of the most devastating performances in Super Rugby Pacific history, annihilating Moana Pasifika 85-7 at FMG Stadium Waikato. Clayton McMillan’s side scored 13 tries in a ruthless exhibition that not only reclaimed top spot on the table but shattered numerous franchise records in the process.

Key moments:

9′ – Shaun Stevenson opens scoring after sharp McKenzie pass (7-0)
16′ – Patrick Pellegrini yellow carded for high tackle on Narawa
17′ – Tupou Vaa’i crashes over from close range (12-0)
21′ – Cortez Ratima finishes brilliant Stevenson break (19-0)
35′ – Quinn Tupaea powers through for bonus-point try (26-0)
38′ – Samuel Slade binned for cynical play
40+1′ – Damian McKenzie caps dominant half with corner try (31-0)
45′ – Leroy Carter opens second-half scoring (38-0)
49′ – Ardie Savea scores Moana’s consolation try (38-7)
51′ – Samisoni Taukei’aho responds immediately (45-7)
54′ – Carter scores second try with sublime solo effort (52-7)
60′ – Carter claims hat-trick try (59-7)
63′ – Ratima scores second try (66-7)
68′ – Ratima completes hat-trick (73-7)
75′ – Daniel Rona finishes cross-field kick (78-7)
80′ – Penalty try awarded for collapsing maul (85-7)

The 78-point victory margin represents the biggest win in Chiefs franchise history, surpassing their previous record of 56 points achieved ironically against the same opponents just over 12 months ago in a 68-12 demolition on the same ground. The 85 points scored and 13 tries represent new franchise records, eclipsing their previous highest score of 72 points in their famous 72-65 victory over the Lions in Johannesburg in 2010, and their previous try-scoring record of 10 against Moana in 2024.

Statement made by the @ChiefsRugby 🤯

Their largest victory margin ever rockets them back to the top of the #SuperRugbyPacific ladder ⬆#CHIvMOA pic.twitter.com/DekEZ6pvmo

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 24, 2025

From the opening exchanges in perfect Hamilton conditions before a crowd of 17,666 – the largest home attendance of the season for the Chiefs and the biggest crowd Moana Pasifika had ever played in front of – this was a masterclass in clinical execution and relentless pressure. The Chiefs’ forward pack established complete dominance from the first scrum, whilst their backline carved through the Moana defence with surgical precision that left the visitors looking shell-shocked.

The statistical dominance told the story of complete territorial and possession control that bordered on the absurd. By half-time, the Chiefs had monopolised 76% of possession and 77% of territory, making a staggering 415 metres compared to Moana’s paltry 33. They beat 18 defenders to Moana’s solitary effort, made five clean breaks to zero, and benefited from a 9-1 penalty count that reflected their complete control of the contest.

The tone was set within nine minutes when the Chiefs’ precision passing created the opening try. Following clean lineout ball, the forwards drove into Moana territory before releasing to McKenzie in midfield. The fly-half’s perfectly-weighted flat pass sent Shaun Stevenson through a gaping hole between Danny Toala and Lalomilo Lalomilo, with the fullback stepping inside Tevita Ofa’s desperate tackle attempt to score beneath the posts. McKenzie’s simple conversion established the early 7-0 advantage that would prove insurmountable.

The visitors’ evening deteriorated rapidly when Patrick Pellegrini was sin-binned in the 16th minute for what proved to be a season-defining moment. As Emoni Narawa accelerated into the 22 off clean ball from McKenzie, Pellegrini’s desperate defensive read saw him collect the winger with a shoulder flush to the head. The TMO review revealed forceful contact that warranted a yellow card, whilst Narawa was forced from the field for a head injury assessment, further disrupting Moana’s defensive structure. The visitors were fortunate the incident wasn’t deemed worthy of further sanctions.

With a numerical advantage, the Chiefs immediately capitalised through sustained forward pressure. Wallace Sititi tapped a penalty quickly, getting his side within metres of the line before Tupou Vaa’i received a short ball from close range. The towering lock showed excellent technique, getting low and driving through Miracle Faiilagi and Ardie Savea to plant the ball down. McKenzie’s attempted conversion cannoned off the right upright.

The third try showcased the Chiefs at their devastating best and highlighted the quality that has made them title contenders. Winning clean lineout ball on halfway, Quinn Tupaea charged hard in midfield before McKenzie spread the ball wide left. Stevenson collected possession in space, accelerating down the left flank and drawing Ofa before delivering a perfectly-timed inside pass to Cortez Ratima. The scrum-half had read the move superbly, running the classic support line to collect the ball at pace and stroll home unopposed beneath the posts.

Tupaea’s bonus-point try epitomised the Chiefs’ clinical approach and their ability to maintain pressure when opportunities arose. After McKenzie broke straight through midfield, the centre received quick ball just five metres out. With Moana’s defence scrambling, Tupaea showed tremendous determination and upper-body strength to twist and turn through heavy traffic, eventually grounding the ball despite the attention of three defenders. The TMO was summoned to examine Daniel Rona’s clean-out on Savea at the preceding ruck, but the review confirmed the clearance was perfectly legal.

Moana Pasifika’s discipline completely unravelled in the closing stages of the half when their frustrations boiled over. Samuel Slade was shown yellow for cynically slapping the ball from Ratima’s hands as the scrum-half looked to play quickly from a ruck just eight metres out. With Moana reduced to 13 men and facing a 5-metre attacking scrum, the Chiefs had the luxury of multiple options.

McKenzie capped a superb individual first-half display with a try that demonstrated his rugby intelligence. From the base of the scrum, Ratima fed Sititi who drew the blindside defence before releasing McKenzie on the outside. The fly-half showed excellent pace to beat the covering defence and dive over in the left corner, though his touchline conversion attempt drifted wide right to leave the half-time score at 31-0.

If the first half was dominant, the second was simply breathtaking. The Chiefs added eight more tries in a display that will be remembered as one of the finest attacking exhibitions in the competition’s history, with several tries worthy of any highlight reel. The pattern established in the first 40 minutes continued relentlessly, as the Chiefs showed no mercy despite the overwhelming scoreline.

Leroy Carter emerged as the undisputed star of the show, producing a hat-trick performance that will have done his All Blacks aspirations no harm whatsoever. The former national sevens representative finished with game-high statistics that reflected his dominance: 119 metres gained, four clean breaks, and seven defenders beaten. His pace, power, and footwork constantly brought the capacity crowd to their feet in what was a career-defining performance.

The hosts resumed where they left off just minutes into the second half when loose ball fell perfectly for Sititi near halfway. The powerful number eight collected possession and showed excellent awareness to offload to Stevenson, who in turn found Leroy Carter accelerating into space. The winger still had considerable work to do from 30 metres out, but his footwork and acceleration proved too much for the scrambling Moana defence as he stepped inside Tevita Ofa and palmed off Danny Toala to score under the posts.

Captain Ardie Savea provided Moana Pasifika’s only moment of celebration in the 49th minute, showing why he remains one of the world’s premier loose forwards despite his team’s travails. After Moana won a rare lineout in the Chiefs’ 22, the forwards went through several phases before Savea received the ball just five metres out. The All Blacks captain threw a gorgeous dummy to freeze Samisoni Taukei’aho and Luke Jacobson before powering through their tackles, pumping his legs to drive over the line beneath the posts. Patrick Pellegrini’s straightforward conversion reduced the deficit to 38-7, providing Moana’s first and only points of the evening.

Tellingly, Tana Umaga opted to substitute his captain just minutes later in a clear indication that Moana’s thoughts had already turned to next week’s crucial clash against the Hurricanes in Wellington. With the game beyond salvage, the decision reflected the pragmatic reality that this contest was over as a meaningful competition.

The Chiefs’ response was immediate and emphatic. From the restart, Tupaea collected Quinn McKenzie’s kick-off and the hosts worked the ball through multiple phases before Taukei’aho received a short ball just metres from the line. With George Dyer providing crucial support, the hooker showed remarkable leg drive to bulldoze through Savea and two other defenders, demonstrating the forward power that has been central to the Chiefs’ success this season.

Carter’s hat-trick was a masterpiece of individual brilliance spread across three contrasting tries. His second came from a moment of pure opportunism when Daniel Rona chipped ahead from the Chiefs’ 40-metre line. Carter read the kick perfectly, accelerating onto the bouncing ball before showing sublime skill to regather at pace and step through the defence. His third and most spectacular effort began with his own chip kick from inside his own half. Ratima showed excellent awareness to regather the ball before delivering a perfectly-timed offload back to Carter, who finished with aplomb beneath the posts.

Ratima’s hat-trick showcased different aspects of the Chiefs’ attacking arsenal. His second try came from scintillating backline play when Simon Parker delivered a cut-out pass to Rona on the left wing. The centre kept the move alive with a delightful inside pass to Ratima, who had read the play superbly to be in perfect position 25 metres out. His third was altogether more straightforward but no less effective, as Xavier Roe drew the defence on the blindside before releasing Ratima to stroll over unopened from close range.

Daniel Rona’s try in the 75th minute epitomised the Chiefs’ ability to create opportunities from anywhere on the field. Stevenson launched a perfectly-weighted cross-field kick toward the right corner, with Rona timing his run to perfection. The ball sat up beautifully off the bounce, allowing the centre to gather cleanly and dive over in the corner despite Kyren Taumoefolau’s desperate covering defence.

The Chiefs’ final score came via penalty try in the dying moments when Moana’s scrum collapsed under immense pressure just metres from their own line. With the Chiefs driving forward with a one-man advantage, the referee had little choice but to award the penalty try and march under the posts, bringing up the historic 85-point tally.

Samisoni Taukei’aho responded immediately for the hosts, bulldozing over from close range after sustained forward pressure, effectively ending any hopes of a Moana fightback.

The statistics painted a picture of complete Chiefs dominance that extended far beyond the scoreline. They monopolised possession and territory, won the collision battle comprehensively, and executed their opportunities with a success rate that bordered on perfection. Their lineout functioned smoothly throughout, whilst their scrum provided quick, clean ball that allowed their backline to wreak havoc. The performance was reminiscent of their earlier meeting in Pukekohe where they led 43-7 at half-time before eventually winning 50-35, but this time there would be no Moana fightback.

McKenzie was imperious from the tee, landing 10 conversions from 13 attempts, whilst his game management and distribution were exemplary throughout. Wallace Sititi dominated the breakdown with his bruising carries, consistently making ground and providing the platform for the backs to exploit. Shaun Stevenson was electric in his involvement from fullback, constantly appearing in attacking positions, whilst the entire backline contributed to what was a collective masterpiece of running rugby.

This emphatic victory sees the Chiefs reclaim top spot on the Super Rugby Pacific table with a 10-3 record, putting them in pole position for home advantage throughout the playoffs. More importantly, the manner of the victory will send shockwaves through the competition, with their title rivals now aware that this Chiefs side is capable of producing rugby of the highest calibre. Coming off their bye week, Clayton McMillan had referenced enjoying Moana’s heroics against the Blues, knowing it would have his side on edge – and his players responded with the performance of a lifetime.

For Moana Pasifika, this was a chastening experience that threatens to derail their historic playoff push. Now sitting at 6-7 with just one game remaining, Umaga’s men face an uphill battle to secure their maiden finals berth, with this 78-point defeat having significant ramifications for their points differential. The loss was particularly cruel given that they had arrived in Hamilton off a three-game winning streak and needing just two more victories from their final two matches to book a maiden playoffs berth. A victory here would have completed a clean sweep of New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific teams and virtually guaranteed their playoff spot.

The Chiefs’ 13-try haul represents one of the most prolific attacking displays in Super Rugby Pacific history, whilst their 85-point tally equals the highest score ever recorded in the competition. The performance showcased everything that makes rugby union such a captivating spectacle – power, pace, precision, and clinical execution delivered with ruthless efficiency in front of a capacity crowd that witnessed history in the making.

Looking ahead to Round 16, the Chiefs will travel south to face the Highlanders in Dunedin, where they’ll look to continue building momentum heading into the knockout stage of the competition. For Moana Pasifika, the challenge becomes even steeper as they head to Wellington for what shapes as a season-defining, must-win clash against the high-flying Hurricanes.