Super Rugby Round 9

Rebels stage second-half comeback to sprint away from Cheetahs

Melbourne Rebels put in a strong second-half performance to come from behind and earn a thumping 36-14 Super Rugby victory over the Cheetahs.

Trailing 14-10 at half-time, the Rebels ran in three tries in the second period to overturn their deficit, with the 36 points they scored the most they have ever registered against a South African side in Super Rugby.

Reece Hodge (twice), Lopeti Timani, Jonah Placid and Tamati Ellison touched down for the Rebels as they moved top of the Australian conference, while Torsten van Jaarsveld and Clayton Blommetjies scored converted tries for the Cheetahs.

The Cheetahs came into the game with only two wins, but they hit their straps early on as Van Jaarsveld got over the line with Neil Marais converting and, after Hodge's first try was converted for the hosts to level at 7-7, Blommetjies ran in the visitors' second - again converted by Marais - to restore their lead at 14-7.

Jack Debreczeni's penalty shortly before the break reduced the Rebel's deficit to four points and that allowed them to launch a strong second-half comeback.

It did not take long after the restart for it to begin as Timani crossed.

Placid's try gave them some breathing space and then Hodge's second and Ellison's 45-metre run-in score secured a bonus-point try and meant they had scored 29 unanswered points.

Jason Emery sees red as Highlanders lose to April-inspired Sharks

Fly-half Garth April booted five penalties to guide the Sharks to a 15-14 Super Rugby victory over 14-man defending champions the Highlanders in Dunedin.

The Highlanders were forced to play the majority of the game a man down after inside centre Jason Emery was shown a red card in the 12th minute following a sickening collision with Wille Le Roux.

Chasing a high kick, Emery took out the South Africa international in the air and the full-back landed on his neck and needed lengthy attention from the medics.

Emery also required treatment following the collision, before being dismissed by New Zealand referee Ben O'Keefe, while Le Roux returned to the game after a concussion test.

Two penalties from April enabled the Sharks to take a 6-3 lead into half-time.

The Highlanders, returning to action after a bye week, scored the only try of the match when Matt Faddes went over in the right-hand corner in the 60th minute to move 14-12 ahead.

It was, though, the kicking of April that proved to be the difference as the Sharks playmaker saw the South Africans end a three-match losing streak, but only after Lima Sopoaga missed with a late drop-goal chance for the hosts.

The loss was another blow to the Highlanders' title defence after they were beaten by the Reds 28-27 in Brisbane last time out.

Japan's Sunwolves secure historic first Super Rugby win at expense of Jaguares

Japan's Sunwolves posted their first Super Rugby victory on Saturday with a 36-28 triumph over the Jaguares in Tokyo.

The lead changed hands several times in a pulsating encounter at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tusi Pisi edging the hosts decisively ahead on 71 minutes with his fourth penalty of the game and then converting Harumichi Tatekawa's last-gasp try.

Yasutaka Sasakura and Derek Carpenter also touched down for the Sunwolves, with Pisi converting all three. Riaan Viljoen added to Pisi's four penalties with one of his own five minutes after the restart.

Agustin Creevy, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Emiliano Boffelli and Facundo Isa all notched tries for Argentina's Jaguares, who had led 18-13 at the interval, with the visitors' other points coming from the boot of Juan Martin Hernandez.

Chiefs edge out Hurricanes to remain top of Super Rugby standings

The Chiefs retained top spot in the Super Rugby standings by holding on for a hard-fought 28-27 victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

The visitors trailed 15-14 at the interval but tries in the opening 10 minutes of the second half from Michael Leitch and Taleni Seu - both converted by Damian McKenzie - helped them forge ahead.

Beauden Barrett's 68th-minute try - converted by Jason Woodward - got the Hurricanes within a point, but they could not get their noses back in front. Cory Jane, Dane Coles and TJ Perenara also touched down for the home team.

Barrett had a poor game with the boot, managing only one successful penalty and one conversion from numerous attempts. He almost set up the decisive score in the final minute, though, with his pass finding Woodward, who was unable to hold on with an open try-line gaping.

Seta Tamanivalu scored two tries for the Chiefs in the first half, with McKenzie adding the extras on both occasions.

Waratahs run in six tries to get Super Rugby season back on track versus Force

The Waratahs ran in six tries to get their Super Rugby season back on track with a comprehensive 49-13 victory over the Western Force in Perth.

The New South Wales outfit suffered back-to-back home defeats in their previous two outings but scores from Rob Horne, Nick Phipps, Israel Folau, Reece Robinson, Angus Ta'avao and Jed Holloway - plus 19 points from the boot of Bernard Foley - eased them past the Force.

A second-minute penalty from Peter Grant gave the hosts an early lead but the Waratahs took control after Semisi Masirewa was sin-binned and restricted the struggling Force to only one more Grant three-pointer and Harry Scoble's converted try.

Stormers battle back to beat Reds in Cape Town

The Stormers came from behind to beat the Reds 40-22 at Newlands in Super Rugby.

The Reds were leading going into the final quarter but the hosts came back for their sixth win from eight this season while their opponents have only one victory to their name.

Kobus van Wyk, Leolin Zas, Nic Groom and Vincent Koch scored the Stormers' four tries while JP du Plessis and Brandon Thomson kicked 20 points between them. Liam Gill, Karmichael Hunt and Eto Nabuli crossed for the Reds, for whom Jake McIntyre landed seven points with the boot.

Seven-try Lions inflict Super Rugby mauling on Southern Kings

The Lions continued their impressive Super Rugby form with a 45-10 demolition of the Southern Kings at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

The visitors, who have now won six from eight, ran in seven tries through Warren Whiteley, Courtnall Skosan, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Akker van der Merwe's double and two from Ruan Combrinck. Elton Janties converted five of those scores.

Luzuko Vulindlu and Chris Cloete crossed for the Kings, who have won just once in seven.

Crusaders rampant in six-try win over Brumbies

The Crusaders ran in six tries to see off the Brumbies 40-14 on Sunday evening and send an imposing message to fellow pace-setters the Chiefs.

The visitors were in control from the off at the Gio Stadium, with Nemani Nadolo giving them a lead five minutes in they would never relinquish.

Further tries followed from Jone Macilai-Tori, Israel Dagg, Codie Taylor (two) and Marty McKenzie.

Robbie Coleman and Joseph Tomane responded with touchdowns for the hosts who were thoroughly outclassed on their home turf. Christian Lealiifano converted both tries.