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Above the rest Otago takes clear lead in Super 12
Posted: Monday April 05, 1999 08:08 AM
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Otago Highlanders grabbed the outright lead in the Super 12 rugby union competition when nearest rivals Queensland and New South Wales suffered defeats over the weekend. Otago rebounded from a loss to Coastal Sharks last week with an efficient 27-16 win over Waikato Chiefs in Rotorua on Saturday night. The three tries to one victory, sealed by a dominant forwards display, improved the title favorite's record to 5-1. Three of New Zealand's four teams won their matches, a great improvement on a week earlier when all of the teams lost on the same weekend for the first time in Super 12 history. Auckland did rival Otago a great service with a 21-20 win over New South Wales in Sydney. Waratahs coach Matt Williams blamed the defeat, which left his team four behind on Otago on 18 points, on South African referee Jonathon Kaplan. Williams called for the introduction of video referees to the competition after his team had a first-half try disallowed for a knock-on. Video replays showed otherwise and the Blues, leading 3-0 at the time, were able to capitalize immediately. "It was a staggering decision," said Williams. "If you've ever seen anything where there's a case in the last few months to bring in modern technology you just saw it there. We must have the use of technology to decide who wins games and scores points. "It's been in other sports for years and we still have to put up with what is obviously an incorrect decision -- it's cost us the points, and could cost us a semifinal berth and could cost people jobs." Auckland scored two tries two one and both were set up by All Blacks flyhalf Carlos Spencer. Queensland was stuck on 18 points when it fell 35-14 to the Western Stormers (17) at Cape Town. Springbok loose forward Bobby Skinstad was in brilliant form the hosts and drew praise from Queensland coach John Connolly. "Skinstad played an outstanding role both as a player and captain and we certainly expect to see him wearing the Springbok jersey for a long time in the future," Connolly said. Defending champion Canterbury Crusaders were on 15 points, two behind the Stormers in fifth place, following a 28-21 win against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra. The hosts lost Wallaby fly-half Stephen Larkham and winger Mitch Hardy to first-half injuries but still scored three tries to one. Canterbury got home on the boot of All Black Andrew Mehrtens, who kicked at 100 percent with six penalties, a conversion and a drop goal while ACT failed to convert any of its tries. "He should be okay for the tests but we're thinking he'll miss six weeks," said ACT coach Eddie Jones of Larkham's knee injury. Wellington Hurricanes surprised the inconsistent Sharks with a 34-18 win at East London. A capacity crowd was stunned as the Hurricanes took a 25-5 halftime lead and the visitors finished with four tries to two. Golden Cats inflicted Northern Bulls' sixth loss in six games, improving their own record to 3-3 and 15 points ahead of a tour of New Zealand and Australia. The Cats' 57-24 win was set up in a powerful display by the forwards. "It would be unfair to single out individuals, but all credit to the pack," said coach Andre Markgraaf. "They laid the foundation and played superbly."
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