After a worrisome start, the Reds have got themselves up to hand the Chiefs their first defeat of the season on Friday night at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton after trailing for much of the game.
The Chiefs scored three tries to the Reds one in the first half, but poor discipline and some wayward conversion attempts kept the home side within reach at the break.
However, an opportune try to flying winger Luke Morahan sealed the 23-18 win for the Reds who showed amazing character to win the match after conceding the three early tries.
For the Chiefs, their first game at home for the season brought to an end their unbeaten run, while the Reds managed to topple another big New Zealand side after downing the Crusaders two weeks before.
The talent the Chiefs backline possesses was made obvious within the first 10 minutes of the match, however, when their two All Black wingers, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga, both scored early tries in the corners to give the home side a handy lead.
Their All Black counterpart in first five-eighths Stephen Donald failed to covert both kicks but the 10-point buffer allowed the Chiefs a bit of breathing space to play their dangerous, expansive style that has made them the talk of the tournament so far.
While the Reds were battling to contain the Chiefs backline, they also had to try and stop a rampaging forwards outfit that looked hungry to stretch the score even further.
And big prop Sona Taumalolo did just that when he crashed over in the 22nd minute to bump the score out to 15-0 with Donald again missing the kick.
The Reds hit back soon after when former Melbourne Storm star Will Chambers, in his first start for his new side, received a great pass from first five-eighths Quade Cooper to score under the sticks.
The successful Cooper conversion closed the gap to eight points but it was hardly a reflection of the dominance the Chiefs had held over the opening stages of the game.
Two penalties to Cooper and one to Donald allowed the Reds to close slightly but it was obvious the Chiefs held the advantage, moving into the break 18-13 ahead.
The Reds started the second half strongly and pushed the Chiefs deep back into their half although Cooper missed a kickable penalty allowing the Chiefs to relieve some pressure.
Donald's poor night with the boot continued when he also missed a penalty, but the inclusion of All Black hooker Aled de Malmanche in the Chiefs front-row immediately added the extra muscle the home side needed.
Cooper was able to nail a penalty kick in the 57th minute to narrow the gap to two points.
The Reds then took the lead when a dropped ball was scooped up by former All Black openside Daniel Braid who booted it down field.
Morahan displayed impressive pace to reach the ball first and recollect it for the score.
Cooper's successful two-pointer took the visitors to 23-18 ahead.
The Chiefs went close to scoring after a big forwards drive had them camped on the Reds line, but some pressure defence from Braid allowed Cooper to clear and get play back down the other end of the field with 10 minutes remaining.
The Chiefs were on the back foot for the rest of the match and had to settle for the loss.
Chiefs 18
Tries: Sivivatu, Masaga, Taumalolo
Pen: Donald
Reds 23
Tries: Chambers, Morahan
Con: Cooper 2
Pen: Cooper 3
HT: 18-13