They overcame a 10-point deficit in the first quarter with a six tries to three victory, taking maximum points but denying the Bulls a bonus point despite the high scoring encounter.

Chiefs halfback Brendon Leonard scored two tries, set up two others and sparked the confidence his team badly needed after they had led by just two points at halftime.

The Chiefs turned around with a 12-10 lead, but as the match wore on, Leonard's options from set pieces and rucks pumped more confidence into his backline.

The Bulls had led 10-0 in the first quarter following a try by second five-eighth Wynand Olivier and a conversion and penalty by first five-eighth Derick Hougaard.

Olivier slipped through a gap after a quick ruck ball when the Chiefs were still try to regroup.

Leonard's first try for the Chiefs oozed class though. Big loose forward Sione Lauaki took a high kick from Bulls winger Akona Ndungane at midfield, chip-kicked over the defence, regathered and sent a swift pass to his halfback who outpaced the cover defence.

Then second five-eighth Callum Bruce crashed over after a second phase attack following a lineout. First five-eighth Stephen Donald converted for their 12-10 lead. Only five minute earlier prop Simms Davidson had powered through over the line after a series of pick-and-go by the home pack but was ruled to have knocked on by the video referee.

"It was a great effort," Waikato captain Mils Muliana told Sky Sport.

"We went away during the week, looked at our game and changed a few things. The tight five really set it up tonight for us at the back. Our set piece improved a lot on recent weeks and we showed what we can do with good set pieces."

The Bulls' second straight loss on the road by a 40-point scoreline, after last week's 40-8 loss to the Queensland Reds, has pushed their season further into crisis.

"It makes it very tough for us but we just have to take it on the chin and look forward to next week," captain Fourie du Preez said.

The Chiefs beat the Bulls 43-27 in their Super 14 rugby match in Rotorua tonight.

Chiefs 43 (Brendon Leonard 2, Callum Bruce, Dwayne Sweeney, Lelia Masaga, Liam Messam tries; Stephen Donald pen, 5 con), Bulls 27 (Wynand Olivier, Deon Stegmann, Akona Ndungane tries; Derick Hougaard pen, dropped goal, 3 con). Halftime: 12-10.

Chiefs: Mils Muliaina (captain), Lelia Masaga, Dwayne Sweeney, Callum Bruce, Viliame Waqaseduadua, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kevin O'Neill, Toby Lynn, Ben Castle, Tom Willis, Simms Davison. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Ben May, Jay Williams, Faifili Levave, David Bason, Murray Williams, Roimata Hansell-Pune.

Bulls: Morne Steyn, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Danwel Demas, Derick Hougaard, Fourie du Preez (captain), Pedrie Wannenburg, Wikus van Heerden, Deon Stegmann, Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha, Rayno Gerber, Derick Kuun, Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Bandise Maku, Werner Kruger, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Hilton Lobberts, Dewald Potgieter, Heini Adams, Stephan Dippenaar.