ACT Brumbies consolidated their semifinal chances in rugby's Super 14 by beating the third-place Wellington Hurricanes 21-16, while South Africa's Bulls and Sharks stayed in the hunt on Saturday.
The Bulls routed the Cats 46-17 in Pretoria, and the Sharks downed the Auckland Blues 32-15 in Durban for the first time since 2002.
The defending champion Canterbury Crusaders, who avoided a sensational upset by drawing the last-placed Western Force on Friday, led the standings after 11 rounds with 42 points, four more than New South Wales, which had a bye. The Hurricanes, who gained a bonus point in Canberra for losing within seven, had 34, and ACT 32.
PHOTO: AP
The Bulls were fifth on 28, and the Sharks and Waikato Chiefs had 27 each in an intensifying playoff race.
ACT earned a gritty victory over the Hurricanes without chief playmakers Stephen Larkham and Matt Giteau, the latter also confirming a multimillion-dollar deal to play for the Perth-based Western Force from next year.
Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock and Joel Wilson in midfield outshone All Blacks Tana Umaga and Ma'a Nonu, and set up the first try for Mortlock. George Gregan's try helped the Brumbies to a 15-6 lead into the break.
David Holwell's third penalty gave hope to the Hurricanes, whose spirits lifted on Lome Fa'atau's converted try to trail only 18-16 after 71 minutes. But Mortlock's third penalty offered the Brumbies enough breathing room.
"We knew tonight was key for us if we wanted to go on in the championship," Wilson said. "So this win tonight, as ugly as it was, has probably really set us up for a semifinal burst."
The Sharks overcame conceding an early try to Auckland in rolling to a comfortable 32-15 victory, which ended the Blues' three-game winning streak in the opening match of their South African tour.
The Sharks pack dominated the Blues, setting up three of their five tries, and giving scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar a chance to dictate play. He put in winger Odwa Ndungane, and scored himself to help the Sharks lead 20-5 at halftime.
Auckland's backs always threatened but after winger Doug Howlett crossed over from the opening kickoff, the Blues took more than 40 minutes to score another try. Meanwhile, the Sharks' defense repaired, and lock Albert van den Berg and flanker Jacques Botes scored to give the home side a bonus-point win before tackling the Bulls next weekend.
The Bulls returned home from picking up points in three of their four games in Australia and New Zealand, by hammering the woeful Cats 46-17, six tries to two.
JP Nel and Tim Dulane scored en route to the Bulls' 18-3 lead at halftime, then Springbok No. 8 Pedrie Wannenburg went over.
Although hooker Delarey du Preez got a try for the Cats seven minutes later, Fourie du Preez and Danie Rossouw added to the Bulls' try tally before the Cats hit back with a consolation score.
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