The Chiefs have celebrated the return of Damian McKenzie with a 57-24 win over Moana Pasifika in Hamilton.

The playmaker had a hand in several tries along with fellow returning all Black Cortez Ratima as they cruised to victory.

It was McKenzie's first game back after missing the start of the season following the birth of his child.

It was a track meet early on as the Chiefs replicated their start from last week.

Quinn Tupaea got the opener in the second minute after Leroy Carter’s line break, with the winger then setting up Liam Coombes-Fabling.

Moana Pasifika got on the board shortly afterwards to make it three tries inside the first ten minutes thanks to a brilliant solo effort from former Rebel Glen Vaihu.

Leroy Carter responded shortly afterwards after slick hands put the flyer into space.

But the visitors kept pace after a powerful burst from Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa at the back of the rolling maul.

It took an amazing trio of plays from McKenzie to swing momentum back, first stopping Allan Craig with a freakish try saver before breaking multiple tackles to set up Narawa.

McKenzie then won the race to Cortez Ratima’s chip kick to set up Lalakai Foketi for his first try for his new club.

It set the Chiefs up for a 31-14 lead at the break that they would control for the rest of the contest.

Carter scored two within a six minute period to complete as Moana Pasifika had little answer.

A classy backline move saw replacement Kyle Brown score with his first touch on the field as the hosts brought up 50.

Replacement Tyrone Thompson finished the onslaught as they claim second on the ladder for the time being.

Chiefs 57 (Tries: Carter 3, Narawa, Foketi, Brown, Thompson, Coombes-Fabling, Tupaea; Cons: McKenzie 6) def Moana Pasifika 24 (Tries: Tupou Ta'eiloa 2, Ofa, Vaihu; Cons: Garden-Bachop 2)

Teams:

Chiefs: 15 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i (captain), 4 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 Reuben O’Neill, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Benet Kumeroa.
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 George Dyer, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Kyle Brown.

Moana Pasifika: 15 Glen Vaihu, 14 Tevita Ofa, 13 Tevita Latu, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 5 Allan Craig, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Chris Apoua, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Abraham Pole.
Replacements: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 18 Lolani Faleiva, 19 Ofa Tauatevalu, 20 Ola Tauelangi, 21 Joel Lam, 22 Patrick Pellegrino, 23 Tyler Pulini.

Referee: Todd Petrie
Assistant referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly