Super 15: Stormers end Brumbies’ run

THE ACT Brumbies’ winning start to Super Rugby ended at four matches when they were beaten 35-22 by the Stormers at Cape Town on Saturday.

The Brumbies’ first loss away from home in eight matches cut their lead in the overall standings to two points from the Hamilton-based Chiefs and in the Australian conference to six points over the Queensland Reds.

The Sharks thrashed the visiting Melbourne Rebels 64-7 to stay at the head of the South African conference while the Hamilton-based Chiefs beat the Highlanders 19-7 to lead the New Zealand conference.

There were reports of disharmony among the Rebels following the match, with team officials investigating a possible fight between two players.

The Christchurch-based Crusaders beat the Southern Kings 55-19 in the first-ever meeting between the teams, and the Queensland Reds recovered from last weekend’s loss to the Western Force to beat the Bulls 23-19.

The Cheetahs beat the Western Force 19-10 for their third straight win on a four-match tour of New Zealand and Australia.

Yesterday, flyhalf Bernard Foley kicked a 35-yard penalty goal after the siren to give the New South Wales Waratahs a 30-27 win over the Auckland-based Blues.

Man-of-the-match Foley also scored a try and slotted three other second-half goals for a personal tally of 12 points.