Australia’s Stirling Mortlock became the highest points scorer in Super 14 rugby yesterday as he inspired the ACT Brumbies to a 37-15 win over New Zealand’s Auckland Blues.
Center Mortlock scored a try and kicked two conversions and a penalty to overtake Andrew Mehrtens as the leading scorer in the competition’s history. He now has 994 points, four more than the former All Blacks flyhalf.
Francis Fainifo, Patrick Phibbs, Huia Edmonds and Sitaleki Timani also scored tries as the Brumbies piled on five second-half touchdowns to claim maximum points and remain in contention for a place in the semi-finals.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The Brumbies play New Zealand’s Waikato Chiefs at Hamilton on Friday in the final round of the regular season, needing to win to reach the playoffs.
Auckland began yesterday’s match strongly, keeping the home team tryless in the first half to lead 10-6 at the break after a try from flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth.
But the Blues conceded 26 unanswered points in the second half to give up any hope of winning the match. Wing Joe Rokocoko managed a late consolation try, but the loss knocked the New Zealanders out of contention for the top four.
■CHIEFS V HURRICANES
REUTERS, WELLINGTON
The Waikato Chiefs surged to the top of the Super 14 standings with a 16-8 victory over the Wellington Hurricanes at Hamilton yesterday.
The Chiefs shook off the effects of jetlag after returning from South Africa this week to win the top of the table clash with their fellow New Zealanders.
The win put the Chiefs in pole position for a home semi-final with only one round of the regular season to go.
Chiefs flyhalf Stephen Donald scored all of his team’s points.
The in-form Donald landed three first-half penalties and then converted his own try early in the second half.
■LIONS V HIGHLANDERS
REUTERS, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
The Lions staged a second-half comeback to beat the Otago Highlanders 27-22 in the Super 14 on Friday.
The victory was their fourth in 12 matches and helped the home team rise to 11th in the table, on the same points as the Highlanders but with an inferior points difference.
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