Steyn's kicking guides Bulls through Hurricanes

LEAGUE leaders Bulls were handed a massive scare by the Hurricanes in Pretoria but held on for a nail-biting 19-18 win that keeps them top of the Super 14 table.

The defending champions, who trailed for almost the entire game at Loftus Versfeld, were outscored by two tries to one thanks to Karl Lowe and Jeremy Thrush efforts. But Morne Steyn kicked 14 points, adding to Zane Kirchner's solo try, to help clinch a gripping win.

The Bulls dominated with plenty of territorial advantage during the opening 10 minutes, but failed to turn their strong field position into any points.

They were caught by surprise after 14 minutes when a strong Hurricanes' attack led to the opening try. It came after excellent all-round work saw the ball spread from left to right and the visiting attack completely outnumbered the home defence, with the ball coming through quick hands wide for Lowe to touch down. Willie Ripia missed the conversion, but redeemed himself when the lead was extended a quarter of the way in.

The Bulls were again stunned after having to retreat on the back of another needlessly conceded penalty – Ma'a Nonu's quick tap and go enabled him to send Thrush away under the post.

But the hosts finally hit their straps on the half-hour mark when Kirchner profited from a thrilling passage of rucking from the pack, taking a pass from Gerhard van den Heever to slide in on the right.

Steyn converted and, following a 10th handling error of the game, the South Africa fly-half reduced the gap to two, before a Ripia penalty made it 15-10 at the break.

The pair again exchanged penalties after the restart – Steyn's effort highlighting his outstanding form in 2010 as he crossed the 100-point mark.

Errors continued to come from the Hurricanes and another crucial one, when Nonu failed to role away from a ruck, gave Steyn another chance which he duly took.

With 19 minutes remaining, Victor Vito was sent to the bin for repeatedly infringing and it proved a crucial yellow card with the home side taking the lead for the first time on the night shortly afterward thanks to another straightforward kick from Steyn.

There was not much fight left from the visitors thereafter as the Bulls held out for the win.

Earlier, makeshift centre Rene Ranger set the Auckland Blues' Super 14 campaign alight with a wonderful individual display as the hosts edged out the ACT Brumbies 39-34 at Eden Park.

Matt Giteau's conversion got the Brumbies to within two points at 36-34 and it took a 78th-minute drop goal from Stephen Brett to secure the final result.

Blues captain Keven Mealamu could not have wished for a finer victory to celebrate his 100 matches for the side.

Memories of the halcyon days of Blues rugby had been revived in the 14-minute assault at the start of the second spell which saw the side turn around the Brumbies' 16-10 half-time advantage to a 36-22 lead, Ranger leading the charge with a try just one minute after the break.

The bonus point try, the second of the night to wing Joe Rokocoko had Brumbies rocking and full-back Isaia Toeava quickly charged through for another score.

Continuing their plan to go for tries rather than penalty goals, the Brumbies replacement prop Huia Edmonds went over to pull the score back to 36-27 but, ultimately, the comeback fell short.