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Brumbies surprise Sharks with first victory in Durban

George Gregan of the Brumbies tries to break through the Sharks' defense during their Super 14 match at the ABSA Stadium in Durban, South Africa, on Saturday. PHOTO: EPA

The Auckland Blues were reinstalled as Super 14 leaders at the weekend after the ACT Brumbies defied the odds and inflicted the first defeat of the year on the Coastal Sharks.

The shock 21-10 result, the Brumbies' first ever away win against the Sharks, allowed the Blues to open up a three-point lead over the Durban-based side, with the Canterbury Crusaders moving up to third, three more points back.

The Crusaders benefitted most from the injection of elite All Blacks into the second half of the competition, while the Wellington Hurricanes failed to capitalize on their reinforcements.

But it was the the Brumbies from neighboring Australia who provided the greatest service for the New Zealand franchises, as their forwards nullified the potent rolling maul and pick-and-drive of the Sharks.

"We came up with what we needed to do to beat them and fortunately we were able to act it out," elated Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher said.

Led by a charging Jone Tawake and Stephen Hoiles, the men from Canberra dominated the first half to lead 18-0 at the turn-around.

The Sharks, who salvaged some respectability with a late converted try, now undergo an arduous four-match Australasian tour starting next week against the fifth-placed Western Force followed two weeks later by a clash with the Blues.

Both the Sharks and Blues have six wins from seven matches, but the more enterprising Blues also have four bonus points to one for the Sharks.

On Friday, the Blues thumped the New South Wales Waratahs 34-6, with their clever switches of play and running on to the ball from depth allowing them to claim a four-try bonus point.

Against the Waratahs, who are having an atrocious season, the Blues had the luxury of not needing the services of their four returning All Blacks, with only hooker Keven Mealamu getting a 20-minute cameo on the field.

The Crusaders, however, used all six available All Blacks and immediately shifted into a higher gear as they put away the Western Stormers 36-11.

Although Richie McCaw and his cohorts showed some signs of rustiness, their class was evident as they capitalized on turnover ball and creating space.
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