Defending champions the Waikato Chiefs moved back into top spot on the Super 15 ladder yesterday after holding on to beat the Wellington Hurricanes 17-12.
The Chiefs scored the only try and produced a mighty defensive effort to smother a Hurricanes fightback.
The Chiefs first win in Wellington since 2001 puts them three points clear of the ACT Brumbies, who can overtake them again with a victory in their match against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney today.
It also extends their lead in the New Zealand conference, putting pressure on the Auckland Blues and Canterbury Crusaders, who face off in Christchurch today.
The Hurricanes will now face an uphill struggle to make the play-off after posting six wins and six losses for the season.
Defense dominated a tight first half, with both sides opting to kick rather than run the ball. The Chiefs went into the break 12-9 up after Aaron Cruden booted four penalties to Beauden Barrett’s three.
The Chiefs’ Matt Vant Leven came closest to a try in the 26th minute when he charged down a kick and took off for the tryline, only for Jason Eaton to drag him into touch with a desperate tackle just before he grounded the ball.
The Chiefs finally broke through against the run of play in the 53rd minute when they charged down a ball and Tanerau Latimer went over the line after Tawera Kerr-Barlow found him with a deft offload as he was being tackled.
The try galvanized the Hurricanes, who had the better of the latter stages and gained a one-man advantage after Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna was sin-binned.
They surprisingly opted to kick the resulting penalty instead of going for five points, narrowing the gap to 17-12 but still needing to cross the line for a win, with the Chiefs’ defense proving up to the challenge.
REBELS V STORMERS
AFP, MELBOURNE, Australia
Australia’s Melbourne Rebels celebrated their first victory over South African opposition with a rousing 30-21 home win over the Western Stormers yesterday.
The Rebels romped home from 21-20 down with six minutes left to down the Cape Town-based Stormers with a contentious penalty try ruling to finish victors.
Nick Phipps was ruled to have been held back by Martin Bezuidenhout chasing after a kick ahead and the TMO recommended a penalty try as Phipps dived for the ball with Bryan Habana.
Bezuidenhout was sent to the sin bin leaving the Stormers a man down for the final minutes.
Both teams scored three tries with Jason Woodward proving the difference with three conversions and three penalties.
Scott Higginbotham was outstanding for the Rebels and scored his sixth try of the season in the 13th minute, before converted tries from scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and Habana’s first touchdown of the season put them 14-10 ahead.
Phipps came off the bench for the second half and provided the spark for the Rebels, playing a key role in the 54th-minute try by lock Hugh Pyle and then as the central figure in the controversial penalty try ruling.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely