The Chiefs have overcome a second-string Brumbies outfit 28-10, but could face a much stiffer test if the two sides meet again in next week’s Super Rugby quarter-final.

The Australian conference champions rested some of their biggest names for Saturday’s clash in Hamilton, with coach Stephen Larkham making 12 changes from last week’s loss to the Queensland Reds.

The Chiefs were without All Blacks Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane and Anton Lienert-Brown but were much closer to full strength than their opponents.

Chiefs fullback Damian McKenzie was outstanding with his blistering pace and skill at the heart of most of the home side’s threatening play.

After going to the break trailing 13-10, the Brumbies made a horror start to the second half, with halfback Tomas Cubelli sin-binned.

The Chiefs immediately drove their advantage home with McKenzie sweeping it wide to winger Soloman Alaimalo, who crossed to make it 18-10.

Shortly after Cubelli’s return, McKenzie extended Chiefs’ lead to 11 with his third penalty goal.

McKenzie provided another try assist on 70 minutes, this time for Michael Leitch, and capped it with a sideline conversion to close out the match.

The Brumbies’ loss means Australian Super Rugby sides have lost all 25 matches against New Zealand opposition this season.

It’s a daunting statistic for the ACT-based franchise who will host either the Chiefs or the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium in Friday night’s quarter-final.