The Canterbury Crusaders came off a midseason bye to beat the Wellington Hurricanes 20-11 yesterday and to maintain their unbeaten Super 14 rugby season.
Later, All Blacks No. 8 Sione Lauaki scored a vital second-half try for the Waikato Chiefs, who beat the Otago Highlanders 16-13.
The Crusaders will meet New South Wales next week in a matchup of the competition's first and second-placed teams after the Waratahs beat South Africa's Cheetahs 26-3 Friday to retain their place on top of the championship ladder.
The Crusaders are a point behind the Waratahs with a game in hand ahead of Friday's top-of-the-table clash, which will likely have a part in deciding home advantage in postseason playoffs.
The Crusaders scored two soft first-half tries Saturday and led 17-6 at halftime, then held on as the Hurricanes scored the only try of a hard-fought second half to win for the seventh time in as many games.
Canterbury owns the competition's only unbeaten record and have 31 points from seven matches while the Waratahs have 32 from eight.
"It was certainly the most intense game we've played all season but I think we expected that when we came up here," Crusaders captain Richie McCaw said of yesterday's match at Wellington.
"I think there were mistakes from both teams when they got into scoring positions but there were also a lot of big hits out there and that probably contributed."
Later, All Blacks No. 8 Sione Lauaki scored a vital second-half try for the Waikato Chiefs who beat the Otago Highlanders 16-13.
Lauaki's 62nd-minute try, reward for a sustained and bruising performance, separated the teams, giving breathing space to the Chiefs who led by one point for 14 minutes and three points for 16 minutes in a tight second half.
"I think we had some pretty interesting tactics in taking them on up front and I actually think we got the better of them in that area," said former All Blacks flanker Marty Holah, who led the Chiefs for the first time.
"We've talked a lot recently about closing out games. That's something we've been poor at but we did that pretty well tonight."
South Africa's Sharks took on the Queensland Reds later yesterday at Durban. The ACT Brumbies and South Africa's Cats have a bye this round.
Australia destroyed Sri Lanka 50-0 to set the early pace on the second day of action at the Hong Kong Sevens yesterday.
The Pool E favourites, who have won the tournament five times before but not since 1988, were always in control as they recorded their second straight win having disposed of South Korea 38-7 on Friday.
Nick Reily scored a brace of tries and there were tries all round from Anthony Sauer, Shawn MacKay, Tim Harrington, Viliame Ratu, Josh Gamgee and Matthew Bell.
Australia coach Glen Ella was pleased with their victory but said it hadn't been easy.
"It's been frustrating for all us because we don't get access to all our best professional players and the guys we got here are amateur players," Ella said, himself a sevens legend.
"They are the new breed coming through. Whilst it may be good to get the bigger players, it's certainly exciting to have kids who want to learn," he said.
"In the circuit so far, we have gone close against the bigger countries. The guys are getting more experienced and I think we got a better team than we had last year when we reached the World Cup semifinals."
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