The Plus500 Brumbies fell by less than a try for the second week in a row, this time against the Sharks.
Let’s take a look around the grounds at what else happened throughout the Super Rugby competition last weekend.
FORCE V REDS
The Queensland Reds travelled to Perth to face off with a new look Western Force side who were looking for their first home victory in over 600 days.
Both sides managed to score two tries in the first half, Eto Nabuli grabbing a double whilst Chance Peni and Matt Philip crossed for the Force. The scores were locked at 12-apiece heading into the break.
Only eight minutes into the second half Nabuli completed his hat-trick, showing off some great finishing skills to get over in the corner and give his side a 19-12 lead.
Two Ian Prior penalties cut the gap to just one point and with ten minutes remaining the Force retook the lead, Curtis Rona getting over in the corner.
Another Prior penalty extend the lead to 26-19 and that’s how the game would finish, the Force coming away with an historic victory.
CHIEFS V BLUES
The Chiefs hosted the Blues in a Friday night Kiwi derby, both sides coming off impressive victories and looking to carry their momentum forward.
The Blues kicked three early penalties whilst the Chiefs answered with two tries, taking a 15-9 lead with 30 minutes played.
Right on the stroke of half-time the game changed for the Blues, Steven Luatua was red carded for a high shot on Tim Nanai-Williams. The Chiefs would score from the ensuing penalty and took a 22-9 lead and one man advantage into the break.
The Chiefs dominated the early part of the second half, scoring three tries and extending their lead to an unassailable 41-9.
The Blues fought back admirably to add some respectability to the score, scoring three tries of their own but still falling to the Chiefs 41-26.
HURRICANES V REBELS
For the second straight week the Hurricanes decimated their opponents, handing the Rebels their second consecutive drubbing.
Despite the Rebels taking an early 6-0 lead the Hurricanes responded, scoring 11 tries and 71 unanswered points including doubles for Ngani Laumape and Vince Aso as well as a hat-trick for the returning Nehe Milner-Skudder.
The home side finishing with a resounding 71-6 victory and looking like early contenders.
HIGHLANDERS VS CRUSADERS
The Highlanders hosted the Crusaders, hoping to get their first victory of the competition.
The home side started well, scoring two tries and two penalties in the first half thanks to a try and try assist from in-form winger Waisake Naholo. The scoring frenzy meant the Highlanders took a 20-6 lead into the halftime break.
The second half started the way the first finished, Naholo grabbing his second try of the day and extending the Highlanders lead to a healthy 27-6.
The Crusaders refused to give up two quick tries, including a penalty try for a dominant scrum, getting them back within striking distance at 27-18 down.
With five minutes remaining the Crusaders got their third try, No.8 Whetu Douglas crashing over out wide. The conversion cut the gap to only two points, the Highlanders maintaining a 27-25 lead.With only two minutes remaining the Crusaders completed their unlikely comeback, Seta Tamanivalu crossing over in the corner and giving his side a 30-27 victory.
SUNWOLVES VS KINGS
The bottom two teams from the 2016 season faced off in Singapore, with the Sunwolves hosting the Southern Kings.
The Kings took control early, shooting out to a 17-7 lead. They continued their good form into the second half, increasing their lead up to 30-13 with only 15 minutes to play.
The Sunwolves scored a second half try to close the gap but it wasn’t enough, a late Malcolm Jaer trying sealing a 35-18 Kings victory.
LIONS V WARATAHS
The Lions and the Waratahs met in Johannesburg, both sides looking to back up Round One wins.
The beginning of the match was an absolute scoring fest, eight tries being scored in the first half, with the Lions taking a 33-24 lead into the break.
The second half began strongly for the Lions, the home team running in three straight tries to extend their lead to an unassailable 55-29.
A late try from Israel Folau added some respectability to the score for the Waratahs but it was a loss nonetheless, the Lions winning 55-36.
CHEETAHS VS BULLS
The Cheetahs and Bulls met in a fierce local derby, both sides looking for their first win of the 2017 competition.
It was an exciting and lively first half, the Cheetahs scoring four tries, including a double to Springbok flanker Oupa Mohoje, to the Bulls one and taking a 28-14 lead.
The Bulls fought back in the second half, scoring the first two tries to cut the gap to only 31-28 with 12 minutes left to play.
A late penalty from the Cheetahs extended their lead to six and that’s how the match would stay, the home side coming away with an upset 34-28 victory over the Bulls.
STORMERS V JAGUARES
The Jaguares made the trip to Cape Town, hoping to defeat a high flying Stormers side at Newlands.
After both sides traded penalties the Jaguares struck, skipper Agustin Creevy burrowing over from close range to score the first try of the match and give his side an 8-3 lead.
The Stormers answered quickly, scoring two long range tries of their own and taking a 17-11 lead which they would hold onto until halftime.
After an early penalty extended the Stormers lead the Jaguares hit again, Gonzalo Bertranou scoring the team’s second try.
After two yellow cards knocked the Jaguares down to 13 men they looked to be in trouble, the Stormers scoring another try and extending their lead to 27-18.
Remarkably the Jaguares struck back despite their two-man disadvantage, scoring a try and cutting the gap to just two points with less than ten minutes to play.
It wasn’t to be for the Argentinian’s however, a late SP Marais try sealing a close fought 32-25 victory for the Stormers.
