The Chiefs made it a perfect three wins from three to start the Super Rugby Pacific season on Friday night as they saw off the Highlanders 28-7.

Playing their first home game of the season, the Highlanders were never seriously headed despite the Highlanders hanging in the contest until the final quarter.

Fullback Shaun Stevenson continued his strong start to 2023 picking up a double, while Damian McKenzie also enjoyed some more bright moments in attack at fly-half.

Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell and Ethan de Groot all returned for the visitors, but they were unable to seriously impact the result as the Highlanders managed just one try across the 80 minutes.

All Blacks skipper Sam Cane received a second yellow card for the year, but the veteran flanker was otherwise industrious alongside the usual suspects of Brodie Retallick and Samisoni Taukei'aho.

Backs Alex Nankivell and Rameka Poihipi also combined well in midfield, while Etene Nanai-Seturo and Samipeni Finau grabbed the hosts other five-pointers in what was a third straight bonus-point triumph.