HIGHLIGHTS-Super Rugby week 11
Flyhalf Curwin Bosch kicked two late penalties that helped the Sharks to victory over an ill-disciplined Waratahs, who were at one stage reduced to 13 men, in their clash in Sydney on Saturday. The Waratahs lost Jed Holloway when he was sent off by referee Nic Berry for striking Sharks prop Thomas du Toit with his elbow in the 46th minute. Berry gave Waratahs flanker Jack Dempsey a yellow card five minutes later for a dangerous tackle on Sharks winger Sibusiso Nkosi.
Centre Andre Esterhuizen scored a try when the Sharks held a two-man advantage, while Bosch added the two late penalties to hold on for victory after the game had been locked at 10-10 at halftime. READ MORE
Reece, Bridge help Crusaders to convincing win over Lions Beale happy to shed utility tag and play fullback for Wallabies
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Pocock heads home as calf strain lingers HURRICANES 47 CHIEFS 19
Jordie Barrett reminded All Blacks coach Steve Hansen of his World Cup aspirations as he scored two early tries to help the Hurricanes beat the Chiefs on Saturday. Barrett, who has played fullback and on the wing for the All Blacks, reminded Hansen of his own credentials in the number 15 jersey in his first appearance there for the Hurricanes since week two. He finished the game in the midfield, where he has played two games this season.
Kane Leaupepe, TJ Perenara, Wes Goosen, Ardie Savea and debutant Salesi Rayasi also crossed for the home side, who moved to 32 points and consolidated their hold on second place in the New Zealand conference behind the Canterbury Crusaders (39). Luke Jacobson, Ataata Moeakiola and Lachlan Boshier all scored tries for the Chiefs, who had given the Hurricanes a 21-0 lead after 17 minutes before they managed to fight back and keep it tight until early in the second half.
SUNWOLVES 0 HIGHLANDERS 52 Tevita Li scored two tries as he capitalised on the dominance of a Highlanders pack led by a rampaging Jackson Hemopo to help the visitors to a commanding victory over the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Friday.
The visiting team's forwards obliterated the Sunwolves scrum at will, even after they had replaced their entire front row, and dominated the contact area to force errors, moving back into playoffs contention in fifth place overall on 23 points. The Highlanders scored five tries in the first half from Tom Franklin, Tyrel Lomax, Li, Josh Ioane and Liam Coltman to give them a 33-0 lead at the break.
Li grabbed his second try about 10 minutes into the second half before Rob Thompson and Sio Tomkinson also crossed, while the home side were unlucky to have a Semisi Masirewa try ruled out for a forward pass. CRUSADERS 36 LIONS 10
Sevu Reece crossed for two tries and set up another for Braydon Ennor as the Crusaders sent a chilling message to the rest of the Super Rugby teams with a convincing victory over South Africa's Lions in Christchurch on Friday. Reece was a late call-up by the Crusaders this season after he had a contract in Ireland cancelled due to a court appearance for assaulting his girlfriend. He has taken his second chance at a professional career with both hands.
George Bridge also scored two tries within the space of two second-half minutes while Richie Mo'unga celebrated his 50th appearance and a new three-year contract with 11 points for the nine-times champions. Ruan Combrinck scored an intercept try for the visitors, who had lost to the Crusaders in both of the last two finals and while they caused some issues at the scrum, they were rarely able to put sustained pressure on the home side. (Compiled by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Sudipto Ganguly/Toby Davis/Amlan Chakraborty/Clare Fallon)
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