Aussie golden time fails to find a winner

THE REBELS and Reds drew 18-18 at Brookvale Oval on Friday, after the novelty of golden point extra time failed to separate the sides.

Reds fly-half James O’Connor converted hooker Alex Mafi’s 80th-minute try to tie up the scores, but a game of kick-tennis ensued in extratime with Bryce Hegarty missing a 50-metre penalty attempt for the Reds to win it.

The Rebels edged the first half 6-0 courtesy of two penalties from former Leicester centre Matt Toomua. OConnor’s pass allowed winger Filipo Daugunu to touch down and reduce the deficit, but Wallabies winger Reece Hodge hit back.

Rebels centre Billy Meakes extended the lead to ten points with a converted intercept try, but O’Connor nailed a second penalty and his late conversion tied the game sending it to extra-time.

In round one, replacement Will Miller scored a 77thminute try as the Brumbies held off a fast-finishing Rebels to record a 31-23 victory, while O’Connor kicked a pair of late penalties to secure a 32-26 win for the Reds and snap a seven-year losing streak to the Waratahs.

In New Zealand, the Hurricanes virtually ended Warren Gatland’s Chiefs’ Super Rugby Aotearoa title ambitions with a 25-18 victory last Sunday, despite playing almost the entire second half with 14 men.

Hurricanes lock Scott Scrafton was given a yellow card by referee Ben O’Keeffe after a succession of penalties early in the second half, then received a second yellow just after he returned to the field.

O’Keeffe also awarded the home side a penalty try for Scrafton’s tackle of Damian McKenzie from an offside position.

Chiefs flanker Lachlan Boshier scored a try with three minutes remaining to give the home side a chance, but they were unable to breach a staunch Hurricanes defence again.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders stepped up a gear in the second half to beat the Highlanders 40-20.

The Highlanders had held a 17-14 lead at half-time, but the Crusaders found another gear when they needed to and scored five tries to two to come out on top.

Winger Will Jordan was the man of the match, crossing once in each half as the Crusaders moved to the top of the table with their third victory in the competition.