The Chiefs stormed to their first ever Super Rugby title on Saturday night, crushing the visiting Sharks 37-6 in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
Battered by travel but on a run of hot form, the Sharks started the game the stronger of the two sides and were the first to score through the boot of first five Freddie MIchalak.
But the Chiefs warmed in to their work, and once they scored their initial try mid-way through the first spell the flood gates opened. Trailing 20-3 early in the second half the Sharks visibly lacked the ability to penetrate an aggressive Chiefs defensive line, and never looked like scoring the points they needed to get back in contention.
Sonny Bill Williams, in his final game of Super Rugby before heading to Japan, then to League in Australia, scored the final try, before leaping the advertising boards to embrace random members of the crowd.
It was a comprehensive victory for the Hamilton-based franchise, who exorcised the demons from their only other final appearance back in 2009, when they were hammered by a rampant Bulls side. The win is testament to the ability of head-coach Dave Rennie, and the undeniable influence of former All Black coach Wayne Smith, in his first year back coaching at Super Rugby level since helping guide the All Blacks to World Cup glory last year.