Mat Rogers inspired New South Wales to a 25-7 win over Waikato, Auckland thrashed Otago 30-14, and the Stormers topped the Sharks again 26-12 in the 2005 Super 12 opening series on Friday.
Auckland hadn't beaten the Highlanders in Dunedin since 1997, while the Stormers won a fourth straight derby against the Sharks without stretching themselves in Cape Town.
Waratahs fullback Rogers, one of Australia's best attackers, missed most of the 2004 Super 12 with an injured ankle. He made amends with a try and a hand in three others as New South Wales picked up a bonus point for scoring four tries against the Chiefs.
Shrugging off a minor hip problem, Rogers scored himself and set up tries for Morgan Turinui and Lote Tuqiri as the Waratahs took a 17-0 lead into halftime at Sydney Football Stadium.
Rogers' only downside was an off night with the boot, landing just one goal from seven attempts.
Turinui opened the scoring in the eighth minute when he grabbed a chip kick from Rogers and crossed under the bar.
Rogers picked up a half volley in the 22nd and twice kicked ahead before regathering to score out wide.
He sent Tuqiri in for a try a minute before halftime, sparking the raid from 35 meters out before finding his winger with an over-the-shoulder pass.
Turinui scored his second try with 15 minutes remaining to seal the result and the bonus point before the Chiefs got a consolation try four minutes from the end via winger Sosene Anesi.
Auckland and All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu scored the first try of the Super 12 season and he was followed by David Gibson, who scored from a chargedown in the second half, and skipper Xavier Rush from an outside break by All Blacks speedster Joe Rokocoko. Luke McAlister kicked six goals from as many attempts for the Blues, a three-time champion.
"We really wanted to start the season off well after last year when we trailed the pack, and we wanted to make sure we don't leave ourselves too much work to do at the end of the season," Rush said. "The rugby wasn't great at times but it's early in the easy season."
The match marked a milestone for Highlanders captain and All Blacks hooker Anton Oliver, who became the first New Zealander to play 100 Super 12 matches.
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