The Chiefs scored four tries in the first half to put the game beyond a disappointing Blues side who were unable to hit back and eventually went down 29-14 in Hamilton on Friday.

The Chiefs got on the front foot from the start in slippery conditions at the Waikato Stadium by taking on the Blues forward pack and making the most of their opportunities.

A well executed attacking line-out move saw Tongan loosehead prop Arizona Taumalolo barge his way over from short range for the opening try of the match which Chiefs flyhalf Aaron Cruden converted from a tricky angle.

Blues flyhalf Michael Hobbs popped over two penalties in response to a 45 metre Cruden goal-kick, but those were to be the last points of the first half for the visitors as the Chiefs cut them to shreds, running in three more tries and picking up the first four-try bonus point of the season before half-time.

Fullback Robbie Robinson made two scything runs which resulted in tries for right wing Asaeli Tikoirotuma and left wing Tim Nanai-Williams while scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow chipped in with a five-pointer of his own in between as the Chiefs left the Blues scrambling in their wake.

The home side took a commanding 29-6 lead into the break, and although Blues replacement Sherwin Stowers got over for a late consolation try it was too late to make the game a real contest and the home side were able to hold on for an impressive win.

More to follow...

The scorers:

For the Chiefs:
Tries: Taumalolo, Tikoirotuma, Kerr Barlow, Nanai-Williams
Cons: Cruden 3
Pen: Cruden

For the Blues:
Try: Stowers
Pens: Hobbs 3

Teams:

Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Arizona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Shane Cleaver, 18 Fritz Lee, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Andrew Horrell, 22 Declan O'Donnell.

Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Chris Lowrey, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 Tevita Mailau, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tom McCartney
Replacements: 16 Pauliasi Manu, 17 Angus Ta'avao, 18 Bradley Mika, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Gareth Anscombe, 22 Sherwin Stowers.

Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jonathon White (New Zealand), Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
TMO: Nick Briant (New Zealand)