Imported utility Callum Bruce has drawn special praise from his new boss Ian Foster as the Chiefs take stock of an improving Super 14 campaign that has them back on the playoffs pace.

The Chiefs sit out the bye this weekend and prepare to re-enter the fray next week when they host the Crusaders in Hamilton.

Three consecutive bonus-point victories have them right in the thick of the action after another sloppy start to their campaign.

Bruce's growing form is reflective of the improvement in the team around him.

The former Otago and Highlanders back who has moved north permanently to join Waikato and the Chiefs is really starting to settle into his new environment.

Able to play first and second five-eighths, Bruce's presence has become even more important with the preseason injury to Tasesa Lavea that ruled him out of the championship.

Bruce didn't have the happiest of starts to his tenure at the Chiefs but is looking far better now as he settles in between Stephen Donald and Richard Kahui in the No 12 jersey.

Second five-eighths hasn't been an easy position for the Chiefs since All Black David Hill headed off to Bristol two years ago but Bruce looks like he could be a long term solution for both his province and his franchise.

"I'm really pleased with him," Foster told RugbyHeaven when asked about Bruce's steady improvement.

"The first couple of rounds he wasn't quite there for us and he was probably still finding his feet with the way we play. I guess it didn't help that at that stage of the season we weren't getting the ball supply that we needed.

"But he has taken the challenge well. He is really contributing big time now and being a big contributor in that backline."

Bruce could be excused for wondering about his new surroundings. After so long down south in limited backlines he now finds himself surrounded by talent that includes All Blacks and several players on the rise.

His outside backs are among the most potent in the championship and Bruce's service is starting to free them up. But he's also causing problems for opposition defences himself with his clever running game.

"Early on he was probably looking for too many other people in terms of just handing the ball on. Now he is getting more direct with his own running and becoming a threat himself ... he has that ability as an attacking player," said Foster.

"It's been nice to see that growth in his game. When your 12 becomes a bit more of a threat that immediately creates more space out wide."

The 24-year-old Bruce played 24 games for Otago and 22 for the Highlanders before he was picked up by the Chiefs in the draft for this year's campaign.

Surprisingly unwanted by the southern sides, the Chiefs were quick to snap Bruce up and equally quick to secure his services long-term with job security at Waikato.

The sense in that decision is becoming increasingly evident. With so many stars in the backline solidity is required to help gel them and Bruce appears to be capable of providing exactly that with his quietly efficient game.