Super Cooper display for the Reds

THE Queensland Reds' Wallabies stand-off Quade Cooper kicked seven penalties, a conversion and a drop-goal to help beat the Brumbies 31-25 in the Super 15 in Canberra yesterday.

The Brumbies outscored their rivals four tries to one but captain Matt Giteau failed with the boot which proved to be costly. He missed three conversions which could have tied the game.

It was third time lucky for the previously winless Chiefs as the New Zealand outfit beat the Melbourne Rebels 38-10 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton yesterday.

The four-tries-to-one bonus point victory ended a six-match losing streak at home for the Chiefs, who were relieved to bank their first points of the 2011 Super Rugby season.

On Friday, the Waratahs were beaten 33-18 by the Crusaders in Nelson. Waratahs scrum-half Luke Burgess scored a superb solo try but also had a pass intercepted by centre Robbie Fruean, who raced 30m to score under the posts. Fruean also got another try to add to one by Sonny Bill Williams. Tom Carter, Burgess, and Afa Pakalani crossed for the Waratahs but a flawless kicking display by All Black stand off Dan Carter was the difference.

In Johannesburg a huge second-half performance from the Blues saw them snatch a 41-32 victory over the Lions.