After stumbling into their bye on the back of defeat, the Chiefs tonight showed a much firmer footing to return to the top of the Super Rugby table.
Dave Rennie's men rode an explosive first half to a bonus-point 36-15 victory over the Rebels in Hamilton, offering enough evidence that their once-fearsome attack was almost back to its lethal best.
It was a game that provided further proof - as if any were needed - of a gap between New Zealand and Australian sides that's about as wide as the Tasman, and a result that emphasised the Chiefs' credentials as title contenders.
Far tougher tests than tonight await, particularly after the international break when derbies against the Crusaders and Highlanders could determine the fate of the Kiwi conference, but a convincing victory was needed to arrest the downward trend the Chiefs had been displaying.
The first 40 minutes were more than enough to vanquish any doubts about the their slump persisting after a week off, not quite running rampant but coming pretty close as they romped to a match-winning advantage.
Almost everything was working for the home side as they ripped apart the Rebels defence with a level of ease that was worrying for the visitors, who were fortunate to concede only four tries in the half.
The Chiefs lost their fluency after the break as the game petered out to a predicable conclusion but the damage had been done and the positives would have been enough to keep Rennie happy despite his charges struggling to completely kill off the game.
Possessing a solid set piece - exemplified when Seta Tamanivalu opened the scoring after a scrum won against the feed and a lineout drive that set the Rebels back on their heels - the Chiefs also showed a far greater willingness to treasure the ball than they had before their bye.
They found space through repeat phases and built pressure by pushing the Rebels from from side to side, displaying a clinical touch when within striking distance, illustrated as Nathan Harris adroitly capitalised on Aaron Cruden's grubber and Brad Weber linked well with Toni Pulu for a third.
There were still elements of inaccuracy in their game, particularly in the second half, but it was hard to quibble when the Chiefs were initially so effective in possession. With players like Lowe dancing down the left wing, leading to the Chiefs' fourth through Cruden, the odd error was easily forgiven.
The Rebels, on the other hand, were adequate but uninspiring with ball in hand. They did force the home side into plenty of tackling but never showed any penetration - all of their efforts seemed to be merely delaying the inevitable.
The difference between the sides was obvious in the offloading count alone. Where the Chiefs were always willing to keep the ball alive, seeking to pop the pass that would turn a promising break into points, the Rebels played it safe and found little reward.
When the Australian side did finally find their way over the line, it was almost appropriate for the inspiration to come from a Kiwi, with former North Harbour man Mike Harris running a good line from fullback to offer his side some hope.
And although that eventually amounted to nothing, the Rebels would have been boosted by largely shackling the Chiefs in the second spell. Sloppiness crept into the hosts' game and the final margin was nowhere near as comprehensive as it could have been, but the job was done.
Chiefs 36 (S. Tamanivalu, N. Harris, T. Pulu, A. Cruden, A. Horrell tries; A. Cruden 3 cons, pen, D. McKenzie con)
Rebels 15 (M. Harris, R. Hodge tries; M. Harris pen, con)
Halftime: 26-3
