The Brumbies bounced back to winning ways on Saturday with a 48-20 Super 12 victory over the Chiefs in Rotorua.

The Brumbies have staged a dramatic transformation to smash the Chiefs 42-15 in Rotorua and revive their Super 12 campaign.

Facing the prospect of five consecutive losses, the defending champions were playing for their survival and responded appropriately with six tries - four before half-time.

It was the first victory for the Brumbies against New Zealand opposition this season after losses to the Crusaders, Hurricanes and Highlanders. But there was no doubt over this result after leading by 29-10 at half-time.

It was vintage Brumbies, controlling the entire tempo of the game, which most of the time was several levels above what the Chiefs were capable of responding to.

Other semi-final contenders were hoping the Chiefs could have ended the Brumbies' title defence, but the Australian side now shares 33 points with the Highlanders.

There is still work ahead for the Brumbies who must win their final game against Auckland in Canberra next week to ensure a semi-final spot, but the signs in Rotorua were promising.

Ominously for the opposition, it was old hands Stirling Mortlock, Stephen Larkham and George Gregan who stepped up when needed against the Chiefs.

Mortlock returned from an ankle injury to dominate the midfield; Larkham enjoyed his best game of the season to be rewarded with two tries; and Gregan focussed on his game rather than the referee to marshal his side superbly. Even a stupid fan's attempt to run on the field and tackle Gregan midway through the second-half failed to fluster the Wallaby halfback.

The Chiefs had a promising start and it looked grim for the Brumbies in the early stages, but a quickfire response by the Australians ended the challenge for the home side.

Mortlock opened the scoring with a penalty and figured immediately from the restart to make the break before giving the final pass to fullback Mark Bartholomeusz for the game's first try in the seventh minute.

Mortlock was again in the action soon after to score the second try before Chiefs' flyhalf David Hills posted his side's first points with a penalty.

Larkham extended the lead to 22-3 with his first try before Chiefs halfback Danny Lee darted over in the 33rd minute.

But there was little evidence that the Chiefs were capable of staging a revival and Brumbies flanker George Smith, who had a great battle all game with Marty Holah, scored his side's fourth try in the 37th minute.

The game became a little scrappy after half-time after Bartholomeusz put the contest beyond doubt with his second try three minutes after the break to extend the lead to 32-10.

Replacement back Glen Jackson scored an intercept try for the Chiefs in the 69th minute, but Larkham replied almost immediately with his own runaway try from a Chiefs error.

The Brumbies suffered several injuries, however, with No.8 Peter Ryan limping off in the second-half, while replacement forward Radike Samo was stretchered off with a leg injury late in the game.

Scoreboard

BRUMBIES 42
Tries: Mark Bartholomeusz 2, Stephen Larkham 2, Stirling Mortlock, George Smith.
Conversions: Mortlock 2 pens, Andrew Walker 2 cons, Julian Huxley con.

CHIEFS 15
Tries: Danny Lee, Glen Jackson.
Conversions: David Hill pen, con.