3 Apr 2011

Raging Bulls sink boot into Hurricanes

7:12 am on 3 April 2011

The Bulls put their Super Rugby title defence firmly back on track and put the playoff hopes of the Hurricanes in jeopardy with a hard-fought 26-14 win in Napier.

The Bulls led 15-3 at half-time.

A late try from winger Francois Hougaard and a 21-point kicking masterclass from first-fiveMorne Steyne proved the difference as the Bulls took a 15-3 halftime lead and defended stoutly after the break at McLean Stadium.

The win was the Bulls' fourth from six games in the southern hemisphere rugby competition while the struggling Hurricanes suffered their fourth loss.

Flanker Serge Lilo opened and ended the tryscoring for the home side after the break.

The Blues also beat the Cheetahs 29-22 in Whangarei, while the Queensland Reds beat another South African team, the Lions, 30-25 in Johannesburg.

The Stormers beat the Sharks 16-6 in the all-South African derby in Durban and the Melbourne Rebels posted their first ever away win, 26-25 over the Western Force in Perth.