Australasia Super Rugby highlights
Queensland Reds 30 Cheetahs 17: THE Reds recorded their second win of the Super Rugby season when they beat the Cheetahs.
After the two teams were locked at 10-10 at half time, the Reds lifted their play in the second half to run out comfortable winners.
No 9 Nick Frisby put his hand up for Wallaby selection with an outstanding display that included two tries, while No 8 Curtis Browning scored the Reds’ other five-pointer.
After the sides traded early penalties, the Cheetahs crossed for the first try when lock Uzair Cassiem scored from a rolling maul.
They looked certain to take their lead into the break but right on half time the Reds’ dominant scrum won a tighthead on the Cheetahs’ line and Browning crashed over to level.
The Reds hit the front six minutes after the restart when Frisby crossed in the corner. The Cheetahs struck back with a try by Raymond Rhule.
However, flyhalf Jake McIntyre’s third penalty put the game beyond the Cheetahs’ reach. Otago Highlanders 23 Brumbies 10: The Highlanders produced a superb defensive effort and flyhalf Lima Sopoaga contributed 18 points to beat the Brumbies 23-10 in Invercargill.
Sopoaga scored a try and added 13 points from the boot, including three second-half penalties.
All Blacks fullback Ben Smith also scored an early second-half try, while Brumbies hooker Josh Mann-Rea grabbed a try for the visitors with Christian Lealiifano adding a conversion and penalty. Auckland Blues 36 Rebels 30: The Blues squandered a big lead, but held their nerve to beat the Melbourne Rebels 36-30 at Eden Park.
The Blues led 36-18 with 25 minutes remaining following tries by James Parsons, Jerome Kaino, Charlie Faumuina, Ihaia West, Tevita Li and Lolagi Visinia, before Colby Fainga’a and winger Sefa Naivalau touched down for the Rebels.
The visitors then had an opportunity to win it in the dying minutes from an attacking lineout but referee Craig Joubert ruled their rolling maul had been stopped and a new one formed illegally, which gave the Blues the relief they needed. —