The Brumbies are in the midst of their worst losing streak in six seasons, after a 13-6 loss to the Lions on Friday night.
Not since 2011 have the Brumbies lost four matches in a row, with that losing run lasting five matches, but the South Africa 1 conference leaders inflicted yet another defeat on the Canberra side.
The salt in that wound for the Brumbies was that they led in almost every area except where it officially counts, leading at half-time, dominating territory and possession and putting themselves within striking distance plenty of times.
RESULT
Brumbies 6
Pens: Hawera 2
Lions 13
Tries: Smith
Cons: Jantjies
Pens: Jantjies, Coetzee
Blues vs Cheetahs
All Black prospect Rieko Ioane scored a double as the Blues left the Cheetahs in their dust at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday.
The Blues notched eight tries to four in the 50-32 win, earning themselves a vital bonus point as they attempt to stay alive in the ultra-competitive New Zealand conference.
The Cheetahs were competitive early on and an effective driving maul earned them three tries, two of them to hooker Elandre Huggett, giving some respectability to the scoreboard.
RESULT
Blues 50
Tries: Rieko Ioane (2), Scrafton, Akira Ioane, Tuipulotu, Luatua, Pulu, Nanai.
Cons: Francis (2), West (3).
Cheetahs 32
Tries: Venter, Van Jaarsveld, Huggett (2).
Cons: Zeilinga (3).
Pens: Zeilinga (2).
Crusaders v Hurricanes
The power of their pack crushed the Hurricanes on Saturday, as the Crusaders kept their unbeaten Super Rugby record with a 20-12 victory in Christchurch.
With one try and five penalties, the Crusaders remain at the head of the table and unbeaten after 11 games while the reigning champion Hurricanes lie third in the New Zealand conference with their second defeat.
The expectation ahead of the clash was for a try-fest between two sides renowned for their determination to attack from all angles but at half-time the score was locked at 9-9 with all the points from penalties.
RESULT
Crusaders 20
Tries: Todd.
Pens: Mo’unga 5
Hurricanes 12
Pens: Jordie Barrett 4
Melbourne Rebels v Reds
A Samu Kerevi try with 90 seconds to play has kept the Reds’ season alive in a 29-24 thriller at AAMI Park.
The stand-in skipper was inspirational all night and it proved to be the ultimate captain’s knock when he wrestled his way over the line to secure a bonus point win for the Reds.
The Reds now sit second in the Australian conference on 16 points, three shy of the Brumbies on 19, though both the Brumbies and the Waratahs have a game in hand.
RESULT
Rebels 24
Tries: Miller, Koroibete
Cons: Hodge
Pens: Hodge 4
Reds 29
Tries: Kerevi 2, Nabuli, Moore, Higginbotham
Cons: Cooper 2
Bulls v Highlanders
All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa scored a brilliant solo try to give Otago Highlanders of New Zealand a 17-10 win over the Bulls in cold, wet Pretoria on Saturday.
A cut-up pitch after heavy pre-match rain meant there was little running rugby and the round 12 match developed into a titanic struggle between two mud-covered packs.
Smarting from a record 38-point home loss in Super Rugby last weekend to another New Zealand outfit, leaders Canterbury Crusaders, Bulls had chances to win this time.
RESULT
Bulls 10
Try: Gelant
Cons: Schoeman
Pens: Schoeman
Highlanders 17
Tries: Faddes, Fekitoa
Cons: Smith, Banks
Pens: Smith
Kings v Sharks
Southern Kings defeated a fellow South African side for the first time in Super Rugby when they edged the Sharks 35-32 on Saturday after a thriller in Port Elizabeth.
It was also the first time the Port Elizabeth outfit have won three consecutive matches following victories over Australian sides NSW Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels.
Kings secured success over Sharks two minutes from time when replacement back Pieter-Steyn de Wet dived over in the corner after fierce, continuous pressure.
RESULT
Southern Kings 35
Tries: Bock 2, Cronje, Pieter-Steyn de Wet;
Cons: Cronje 3
Pens: Cronje 2
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Drop goal: Cronje
Sharks 32
Tries: du Preez, Mvovo
Cons: Lambie, April
Pens: Lambie 2, April 4
Jaguares v Western Force
Two tries in the final 15 minutes have handed the Force their first overseas win this year, 16-6 over the Jaguares.
A week after their season’s low point in Durban, the Force wanted to prove themselves in Buenos Aires, and their reshuffled side put in a far-improved effort.
It took until the 68th minute for the Force to score a try, through winger Alex Newsome after the sides traded penalty goals in Buenos Aires for most of the night.
Handling errors and poor decision-making crept in at times, but this was one win the Force showed they wanted and, more importantly, deserved.
RESULT
Jaguares 6
Pens: Hernandez 2
Force 16
Tries: Newsome, Naisarani
Pens: Prior 2
Yellow card: Richie Arnold 28’
STANDINGS
Australia Conference
Brumbies 19 (Q)
Reds 16
Waratahs14
Force 13
Rebels 8
New Zealand Conference
Crusaders 50 (Q)
Chiefs 42 (Q)
Hurricanes 38 (Q)
Highlanders 36 (Q)
Blues 31
Africa 1 Conference
Stormers 26 (Q)
Bulls 15
Cheetahs 11
Sunwolves 7
Africa 2 Conference
Lions 46 (Q)
Sharks 33 (Q)
Jaguares 24
Kings 19
Please note: Conference winners qualify for quarter-finals with next three highest-ranked Australasian teams and next highest-ranked Africa side. Q denotes qualifying position
NEXT WEEK
May 19
Chiefs v Crusaders, Stormers v Blues
May 20
Hurricanes v Cheetahs, Force v Highlanders, Sunwolves v Sharks, Lions v Bulls, Kings v Brumbies
May 21
Waratahs v Rebels
Byes: Jaguares, Reds