An Israel Folau brace has seen the Waratahs down the Chiefs in comprehensive fashion, streaking to a 45-25 win in Sydney.
Centre Israel Folau opened the scoring for the hosts, snaring an intercept and going almost 100m to dot down.
The Chiefs struck back in the 13th minute through Seta Tamanivalu, grubbering for himself and pouncing on a spilt defensive cover.
The visitors went further ahead six minutes later, Damian McKenzie and Brad Weber combining well on a sneaky blindside manoeuvre to send Aaron Cruden in.
Right on the stroke of halftime hulking Will Skelton stormed clear, going 40 metres before linking with Michael Hooper to send his side into the sheds with a 17-13 advantage.
Nathan Harris pinched back the lead for the Chiefs eight minutes into the second stanza, some patient play seeing Cruden finding the hooker on the wing with an overhead pass.
Folau was the architect of the next try, splitting the defense before linking with his support to see fullback Andrew Kellaway in for his first Super Rugby try.
Michael Hooper was in just minutes later to extend the Waratahs' lead out to 31-18 with 25 minutes to play.
Folau notched his brace in the 63rd minute off a dubiously forward-looking pass to take his side out to a 20 point buffer.
The Chiefs pulled one back through Toni Pulu, the winger running on to a pinpoint Cruden cross-field kick to reduce the deficit to 38-25 with 12 minutes to play.
Jack Dempsey then stormed 20 metres to close out the contest with a try in the dying minutes.
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