Knights destroy toothless Tigers

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Newcastle Knights ... destroy Wests Tigers at Hunter Stadium. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

An impressive Newcastle Knights opened their 2013 NRL season in style as they crushed the Wests Tigers in Monday's NRL encounter at Ausgrid Stadium.

7 Tries 2
James McManus 10'	Adam Blair 6'
Akuila Uate 22'	Tim Moltzen 80'
Dane Gagai 27'
Dane Gagai 37'
Akuila Uate 46'
Akuila Uate 49'
James McManus 55'
5 Conversions 1
Kurt Gidley 23'	Benji Marshall 7'
Kurt Gidley 28'
Kurt Gidley 39'
Kurt Gidley 48'
Kurt Gidley 57'
2 Penalties 0
Kurt Gidley 33'
Kurt Gidley 68'

A hat-trick of tries from NSW winger Akuila Uate and two apiece from Dane Gagai and James McManus sealed the 42-10 win to make it a first game to forget for new Tigers coach Mick Potter.

The visitors actually started brightly and opened the scoring after five minutes when Adam Blair powered over from close range.

But it proved to be their only high point in an abject display as the Knights ripped them apart in a sizzling 50-minute period that saw them score seven tries.

A minute's silence was impeccably observed by the 21,935 crowd at Ausgrid Stadium for tragic Tiger Mosese Fotuaika, who passed away recently, and it appeared to inspire Potter's side early in the game.

However, the Knights, inspired by Uate and two former Brisbane Broncos in Darius Boyd and Gagai, took control to effectively seal the victory before halftime.

		W	L	D	B	PD	Pts
1	Knights	1	0	0	0	32	2
2	Eels	1	0	0	0	30	2
3	Panthers	1	0	0	0	22	2
4	Storm	1	0	0	0	20	2
5	Rabbitohs	1	0	0	0	18	2
6	Cowboys	1	0	0	0	12	2
7	Sea Eagles	1	0	0	0	8	2
8	Sharks	1	0	0	0	2	2
9	Titans	0	1	0	0	-2	0
10	Broncos	0	1	0	0	-8	0
11	Bulldogs	0	1	0	0	-12	0
12	Roosters	0	1	0	0	-18	0
13	Dragons	0	1	0	0	-20	0
14	Raiders	0	1	0	0	-22	0
15	Warriors	0	1	0	0	-30	0
16	Tigers	0	1	0	0	-32	0

Ex-NSW winger McManus dived over in the 10th minute after hauling in a fine cut-out pass from Boyd and the Queensland star looked to have increased the advantage only to spill the ball as he crossed the line.

But that proved to be a minor aberration when Uate, fresh from signing a new four-year deal, started and finished the move for the second four-pointer.

The Blues star caught the ball on his own 10-metre line, shrugged off three feeble tackles as he raced 50 metres and was then on hand to pick out Gagai's pass to go over in the right corner.

Gagai then scored two quickfire tries with skipper Kurt Gidley kicking four goals to open up a 24-6 lead at the break.

The second stanza followed a similar pattern with the Knights dominating as the Tigers fell apart, giving up two more Uate tries within nine minutes of the restart.

McManus added his second just before the hour-mark when he outjumped the diminutive Matt Utai and grabbed Jarrod Mullen's kick with Gidley's conversion bringing up the 40-point mark.

Tim Moltzen stretched to score on the siren to give the Tigers a late consolation.

The Knights' promising start was tempered by an wrist injury to Mullen, who went off midway in the second period.

Knights coach Wayne Bennett said he was pleased with his side's performance but said it was important no one got carried away by such a positive start to their campaign.

"There may be people looking over their shoulders, but I wouldn't say it was a statement," Bennett said.

"The first thing we have to do is not look ahead too far to Manly next week.

"We need to look at ourselves, get over our bumps and bruises and then we'll worry about Manly later in the week."

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Re-live all the action from the Knights' sizzling win over the Tigers at our NRL Match Centre, with key stats.

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The veteran coach also said the injury to Mullen was not serious and that he withdrew his five-eighth as a precaution.

"I wanted to give Tyrone Roberts a bit of time out there that was all, but there is no problems with Jarrod," he said.

The defeat was a miserable start to Potter's reign at the Tigers and when asked if he had any words of encouragement for his opposite number, Bennett merely said ``welcome!''

Potter said his side needed to improve fast before this week's clash with Penrith at Campbelltown.

"It was disappointing, in a lot of areas we could have done a lot better, but the scoreline doesn't read very well," Potter said.

"Early, everything was going to plan, but we slowly deteriorated and came up with errors and gave away silly penalties and a lot of possession.

"You can't do that and expect to win games."

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Ioane pays price for misdeeds with Reds

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PAST misdemeanours have come back to haunt Digby Ioane as the Queensland Reds on Monday sought to improve a flagging team culture by axing the Wallabies winger for one match.

Despite being the Reds' second best player this season, behind flanker Liam Gill, Ioane has been stood down for Saturday night's Super Rugby clash with the Western Force following an incident in a Melbourne hotel on the weekend.

Victorian police are still investigating an alleged assault following an altercation between Ioane's older brother and another patron in a Prahran hotel on Saturday afternoon.

But the Queensland Rugby Union have been quick to act and send a strong message ahead of any police findings after being unhappy with a continued slip in standards expected at Ballymore.

"We're taking a stand at this point in time that this type of behaviour is not what we're about," said Reds director of coaching Ewen McKenzie.

"This isn't just a message to Digby but to all our players about what we think is acceptable and what isn't.

"It's irrelevant of what's going in terms of the police investigation. It's how we want to be seen in the rugby community and how our young players see our senior players."

The pub incident took place the same day Reds teammate Quade Cooper posted a picture of him, Ioane, James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale as well as Hawthorn star Lance Franklin and other bare-chested men in gangster-style poses in a spa on a Melbourne rooftop.

QRU chief executive Jim Carmichael and McKenzie were both unhappy about how it represented their code.

A role model for other young Polynesians at the Reds, Ioane's been guilty of letting his behaviour lapse before the weekend, and has persisted in playing a mug lair in public.

"There's been bits of things over the years and there's always a cumulative impact," McKenzie admitted when asked whether the 27-year-old had been guilty of other misdeeds. "But it's subtle things and we know how we want to be perceived.

"Our culture is very important to us.

"Sport is about culture as much as anything.

"There's been lots of things over time, and lots of players, and we've got to this point in time that enough's enough.

"We've taken a stand ... and this type of stuff has to stop."

Queensland normally have ample depth in their outside back division to replace the tackle-shedding Ioane against the Force but they're also missing another Wallabies flyer Dom Shipperley, who injured his back in the 23-13 win over the Melbourne Rebels, as well as Rod Davies (hamstring).

Teenager Chris Feauai-Sautia and one-cap Wallaby Luke Morahan, dropped from the 22 to play the Rebels, are now set to start on the wings.

In good news for the Reds, Wallabies halfback Will Genia will make his long-awaited return from a knee reconstruction on Saturday night and captain James Horwill (ankle) is on track to play the following week against the Bulls.

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Shattered Watson quits tour

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Stood down ... Shane Watson didn't meet team guidelines. Source: Rick Rycroft / AP

Australia's selection crisis took an extraordinary twist tonight with Shane Watson quitting the tour to be with his pregnant wife in the wake of his sacking for the third Test.

In one of the most dramatic days in Australian cricket history, coach Mickey Arthur dropped a bombshell on the team by dumping Watson, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson and Usman Khawaja for breaching team discipline.

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The quartet were stood down from selection for one match for failing to take part in a peer review of the side's dismal performance in the second Test.

But the team was rocked by a second ruction late tonight, with vice-captain Watson deciding to leave India to be with wife Lee, who is heavily pregnant and due to give birth.

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It is unknown if Watson's sacking was the driving force behind the decision but coach Mickey Arthur said yesterday he was left shattered when informed of his demotion by Australian hierarchy.

Shane Watson exits the team hotel. Source: News Limited

The departure of Watson is a savage blow to the Australian team and could have huge ramifications for his future as vice-captain.

In a landmark day for Australian cricket, coach Mickey Arthur revealed the quartet have been stood down for one match for not taking part in a written review following the side's heavy innings defeat in the second Test.

The 16-man touring party was asked to complete a personal review of the team's culture and expectations and the improvements needed to be made for the third Test starting Thursday.

Arthur said Watson, Pattinson, Khawaja and Johnson had failed to submit a personal analysis - prompting team hierarchy to immediately rule the group out for the Test in Mohali.

The coach said the quartet are "gutted". He added it was the toughest day of his coaching career, but a step necessary in his goal to make Australia's the No.1 Test side in world cricket.

While the contingent will be considered for the fourth Test in Delhi, Arthur said the decision was a "line in the sand" for Australian cricket.

The fallout is particularly severe for Watson, who is the Australian vice-captain and has been under pressure after a dismal run of form at Test level in the past 18 months.

Arthur said that after going two down in the series the team was "really hurting."

"We were discussing ways to get back in the series. I asked the players to give me a presentation individually.

"I wanted three points from them - technically, mentally and team - as to  how we were going to get back into the series.

"Unfortunately four players did not comply with that.

"We pride ourselves on attitude - we have given the players a huge amount of latitude to get culture and attitude right. 

"We believe those behaviours were not consistent with what we want to do with this team, how we want to take this team to be the best in the world.

"The teams that are best in the world have best attitudes, have best behaviour patterns and have a good hard ruthless culture."

Pattinson is Australia's leading wicket-taker in the series with eight wickets at 23.62. Watson has scored 77 runs at 19.25.

Former Australian captain Allan Border said he was surprised the players had been axed for the reasons given  and labelled the decision as an "over the top reaction".

"It seems a bit of a strong measure for a coach or captain to take," Border told Fox Sports News.

"I'm surprised that's the penalty for something so mundane. It seems like it was on a schoolboy tour or something. It's an over the top reaction.

"I haven't seen anything quite like this - there have been players stood down for bad behaviour or breaking curfews but something like this where you have basically refused to fill out a performance review, it's the first time I've ever heard of it."

"I'm stunned," said former Test player Mark Waugh. "I just want to know what would have happened if eight of the guys hadn't filled in the form, we wouldn't have a team for the game.

"I've never heard of this sort of thing before at top level in any sport.

"When you are losing there are niggling things there but they're grown men, it's not school boy stuff. It's not under 6s, this is Test cricket… there would have been a better way." 

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Reds shatter Heart's finals hopes

Teetering ... Melbourne Heart look unlikey to make the finals after losing to Adelaide. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Adelaide United have all but locked in a home A-League final and left Melbourne Heart's top-six chances creaking with a 2-0 win at AAMI Park on Monday night.

Dario Vidosic's first-half penalty and a second-half goal to winger Iain Ramsay snapped the Reds' indifferent form and Heart's good home run.

The victory lifts Adelaide nine points clear of fifth place with three matches remaining, with the third and fourth-placed sides at the end of the A-League regular season guaranteed home finals.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	24	16	2	6	15	50
2	Central Coast	24	13	6	5	22	45
3	Victory	24	12	4	8	3	40
4	Adelaide	24	12	3	9	3	39
5	Sydney	24	9	3	12	-8	30
6	Newcastle	25	8	6	11	-12	30
7	Brisbane	24	8	5	11	1	29
8	Perth	24	8	4	12	-2	28
9	Heart	24	8	3	13	-4	27
10	Wellington	25	6	6	13	-18	24

But Heart now slide to second-bottom after other weekend results went against them, though they are just a win out of the top six in the closely congested battle to make the playoffs.

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Re-live all the action from the Reds' convincing win at our A-League Match Centre, with video highlights and all the stats you need.

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In front of a crowd of just over 5,000, Heart were left to rue some missed early first-half chances.

Midfielder Nick Kalmar had three good attempts in three minutes and Reds goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic was forced into two outstanding saves.

Adelaide United coach Mike Valkanis was thrilled with his side's whole-hearted victory after several weeks of inconsistency.

"We've had our ups and downs in form and we spoke about it during the week that we have to flick the switch on, and keep it on," Valkanis said.

"We can't keep thinking that we've got games in front of us and we'll be playing finals.

"It was a good professional performance."

Heart coach John Aloisi admitted the defeat would make it difficult for his side to make the playoffs, and felt they should have made Adelaide pay early when they had the chances.

"It's still close. We've still got a chance of making the six. We just have to believe that we can," Aloisi said.

"We've made it hard for ourselves. We should have punished them. Three great chances ... and they weren't causing us problems.

"Then they got the penalty and we struggled. They were better than us after that."

Heart now need maximum points from Saturday's home match against table-topping Western Sydney Wanderers to re-ignite their top-six challenge.

The Reds face a quick turnaround to host Newcastle Jets on Friday night at Hindmarsh Stadium.
 

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Tigers thrash Bulls in vital clash

Ben Hilfenhaus ... rips through Queensland Bulls. Source: richard jupe / News Limited

There was a sense of deja vu as Ben Hilfenhaus ripped through Queensland to help Tasmania seal a vital 163-run outright Sheffield Shield win at the Gabba on Sunday.

SHEF - Gabba

7 March 2013 - Day 4, Session 3

Queensland 2nd Innings

And the Tigers will hope that winning feeling also returns later this week in what looms as one of the most hotly contested races for Shield final spots.

Hilfenhaus backed up his stunning first-innings blitz of three wickets in four balls with another damaging burst in the Bulls' second dig.

The ex-Test seamer was on a hat-trick for the second time in the match when he helped reduce Queensland to 4-8 chasing 307 for victory.

He took 4-33 - completing match figures of 8-117 - as Queensland were bowled out for 143 in their second innings late on the final day.

Despite fighting hands from Luke Pomersbach (61) and Nathan Reardon (46) in a 96-run fifth-wicket stand, the Bulls never recovered in a blow to their title defence.peTasmania (24 points) jumped from dead-last to fourth on the Shield ladder - just two points outside the top two - while defending champions Queensland (24 points) are still in the mix with one game to play.

In the Shield regular-season finale, Tasmania host leaders Victoria and Queensland travel to third-ranked Western Australia from Thursday.

Dom Michael and Peter Forrest completed a pair for the match - the latter a golden - when they were again claimed by Hilfenhaus in consecutive balls as Queensland slumped to 3-8.

Alarm bells ringing for Queensland became a death knell when they were left reeling at 4-8 after first-innings centurion Joe Burns was run out at the non-striker's end for a duck in a mix-up with Pomersbach.

Earlier, the Tigers declared their second innings at 6-342 with James Faulkner not out 52 and Tim Paine unbeaten on 37.

Tasmania resumed on Sunday at 4-226 and quickly lost Alex Doolan (83) and Jon Wells (52) who shared a 92-run fifth wicket stand as they looked for quick runs.

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Wanderers create A-League history

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Wonderful Wanderers ... Tony Popovic's side made it nine in a row against Wellington. Source: Paul Miller / AAP

Western Sydney extended their lead atop the A-League ladder on Sunday, beating Wellington 2-1 at Parramatta Stadium to post a record-breaking ninth consecutive victory.

Japanese star Shinji Ono and striker Mark Bridge both scored from penalties for the Wanderers, with Jeremy Brockie getting one back for the visitors.

The win puts the Wanderers five points clear of Central Coast on the table and means they surpass the league's all-time longest winning streak of eight straight matches set by Melbourne Victory in the inaugural season.

But it was hardly the thumping most were expecting as the bottom-placed Phoenix managed to match it with the ladder-leaders for most of the game.

But ever-grounded Wanderers boss Tony Popovic won't be letting his team get carried away.

"You can go on unbeaten runs but to win nine in a row is quite special," he said.

"But like everything at this club at the end of the year we'll reflect on a great milestone, there have been many this year, but we have not achieved anything yet so we'll reflect on that when the season ends."

The vocal Red and Black Bloc were unusually quiet for the first 20 minutes of the match as they staged a silent protest on behalf of a number of members they believe have been unjustly banned by Football Federation Australia over various incidents including the lighting of flares and anti-social behaviour.

Popovic admitted his side played below their usual level.

"I think all teams now will take a result over a performance," he said.

"We've said all along if your performances are good we believe the results will come.

"Today wasn't our best ... but I'm happy they won that game at all costs."

With history on the line the Wanderers came out on the attack and didn't have to wait long to get on the scoresheet.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	24	16	2	6	15	50
2	Central Coast	24	13	6	5	22	45
3	Victory	24	12	4	8	3	40
4	Adelaide	23	11	3	9	1	36
5	Sydney	24	9	3	12	-8	30
6	Newcastle	25	8	6	11	-12	30
7	Brisbane	24	8	5	11	1	29
8	Perth	24	8	4	12	-2	28
9	Heart	23	8	3	12	-2	27
10	Wellington	25	6	6	13	-18	24

Wellington defender Tony Lochhead conceded a penalty six minutes in for tripping Youssouf Hersi in the box.

Ono stepped up to the mark and made no mistake, putting the hosts in front in the eighth minute to send the majority of the 15,8009 fans into raptures.

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Re-live all the drama from the Wanderers' narrow victory over Wellington, with video of all the action, at our A-League Match Centre.

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Brockie found the equaliser in the 22nd minute getting on the end of a Leo Bertos cross, scoring his 15th goal of the season to join Central Coast's Daniel McBreen at the top of the goalscorers' list.

The loss rules the Phoenix out of the finals but interim coach Chris Greenacre, who took over from Ricki Herbert last month, was more than pleased with his side's showing.

"I just said to the players how proud I am of them - their effort, their endeavour, their will to want to take the game to Western Sydney," he said.

"I'm just disappointed with the result.

"But now with the burden (of playoffs) off the shoulders we'll release the shackles and let the players express themselves and just enjoy playing in the last two games."

Just when it looked like the Phoenix had the momentum, they shot themselves in the foot right after the break by giving away another penalty courtesy of a blatant handball by Vince Lia.

This time Bridge took the spot-kick to give the Wanderers a 2-1 lead in the 48th minute.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Labinot Haliti both threatened with strikes moments later while the Phoenix's new young striker Corey Gameiro and Paul Ifill tested 'keeper Ante Covic at the other end.

Hersi had a chance to widen the gap in the 80th minute but Phoenix gloveman Glen Moss did well to save the effort.

Lia looked like levelling in the dying minutes, forcing a save from Covic.

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Matthew Wade injures ankle in India

Paceman Peter Siddle is determined to lead Australia to an improved performance in India. Source: AAP

WICKETKEEPER Matthew Wade is in doubt for Thursday's third Test with an ankle injury as Australia's tour of India lurches from bad to worse.

Wade didn't train with the squad at Mohali on Sunday after rolling his ankle playing basketball.

Team doctor Peter Brukner said the results of medical scans would be emailed to specialists in Australia overnight before a decision is made on flying over former Test gloveman Brad Haddin, who is on standby.

"Hopefully we'll get that answer back by tomorrow morning," Brukner said.

"There's nothing horrendous there.

"The scan here was quite good but their specialist guy is not here this weekend but we just want to be satisfied.

"...We've got a couple of guys back in Australia who are the best in the world at reading this sort of stuff. We'll email those scans back this afternoon.

"We'll make that decision (on Haddin) probably tonight, or when we get these scans back."

Victoria's Wade has been in the wars on this Indian tour, suffering a fractured cheekbone on the day before the second Test in Hyderabad and playing the match with the aid of painkillers.

"Matt Wade sprained his right ankle playing basketball yesterday afternoon," team physio Alex Kountouris said in a statement on Sunday.

"His ankle is subsequently swollen and painful."

Australia allrounder Moises Henriques said Wade's injury was very unfortunate.

"He could have done it doing anything, but he did it during a casual game of basketball," Henriques told reporters.

"I don't know the extent of the injury.

"He's as tough a little character as there is, so if there's a chance of him playing he certainly will."

Henriques backed his 35-year-old NSW teammate Haddin - who has scored 468 runs at 52.00 in seven Sheffield Shield matches this summer - to take over in grand style if required.

"Bradley being such a seasoned campaigner now and he has toured here before so he has got that experience," Henriques said of the 43-Test veteran.

"So I'm sure if he was needed, he'd certainly come in and do a fantastic job."

Henriques said he wasn't sure of the results of Wade's scans.

"But he was in pretty good spirits just before in the change rooms," Henriques said.

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Passion-filled Sharks bite Titans

Cronulla Sharks ... Matthew Wright scores the first try. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Cronulla have turned the turmoil engulfing their club into motivation to win a 12-10 nail-biter against Gold Coast Titans at Sharks Stadium on Sunday night.

2 Tries 2
Matthew Wright 27'	David Mead 47'
Andrew Fifita 55'	Dave Taylor 70'
2 Conversions 1
Michael Gordon 29'	Aiden Sezer 49'
Michael Gordon 57'

Having their coach Shane Flanagan stood down by the Sharks board just two days prior to the clash, the team produced a passion-filled performance.

"It was the easiest things I've done all week," Sharks skipper Paul Gallen said. 

"I couldn't wait to play. 

"Forgot about all the crap that's going on… It was the best part of the week.

"We knew it was going to be emotional but emotion does mean much when you're tired."

Former Manly coach Peter Sharp was handed the coaching reigns in Flanagan's absence and when asked whether he thought things would get any easier at the club next week, the assistant coach said he has his doubts.

"It's been a ridiculous week," Sharp said.

"They've been under so much pressure.

"I can't believe they played.

"It has been a seriously heavy week in the player's lives."

It took 26 minutes for the first try to come and it was Sharks centre Matthew Wright who crossed having caught a perfectly weighted Todd Carney kick.

6-0 at half-time, it was an almost identical try in the 6th minute but this time to the Titans.

Aiden Sezer kicked to the wing of David Mead who out-leaped Johnathan Wright.

Sezer nailed the kick at goal to level the scores.

With pressure mounting, the Sharks lifted another gear and Andrew Fifita charged across relatively untouched off a John Morris pass.

Ahead 12-6, Sharks winger Johnathan Wright was denied a try but not Titans prized recruit Dave Taylor.

Albert Kelly lofted a kick to the corner of the field, with the ball bouncing off the arm of Michael Gordon, into the back of Mead and into Taylor's hands.

Sezer however missed the conversion to keep the Sharks in a two point lead and ultimately gifted them the win.  

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Sweet and sour night for Brumbies

ACL concerns ... Star Brumbies and Wallabies flanker David Pocock is helped from the field. Source: LUKAS COCH / AAP

A possible season-ending knee injury to champion Wallabies flanker David Pocock took some of the gloss off the Brumbies' clinical 35-6 drubbing of old foes the NSW Waratahs on Saturday night.

4 Tries 0
Ben Mowen 25'
Christian Lealiifano 33'
Henry Speight 72'
Robbie Coleman 78'
3 Conversions 0
Christian Lealiifano 34'
Christian Lealiifano 74'
Ian Prior 80'
3 Penalties 2
Christian Lealiifano 3'	Brendan McKibbin 15'
Christian Lealiifano 7'	Brendan McKibbin 40'
Christian Lealiifano 10'

Returning Wallabies great George Smith was called from the bench sooner than expected to make his comeback for the Brumbies when Pocock went down in the 13th minute and was assisted from the Canberra Stadium field.

If scans confirm the suspected ACL tear to Pocock's left knee, he will likely be ruled out for at least six months, missing the high-profile three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions, The Rugby Championship and the rest of the Super Rugby season.

Australia Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Brumbies	3	0	0	64	2	18
2	Reds	3	1	0	6	0	12
3	Waratahs	1	2	0	-32	0	8
4	Melbourne Rebels	1	3	0	-25	1	5
5	Western Force	0	3	0	-29	1	5
New Zealand Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Chiefs	2	0	0	56	2	10
2	Blues	2	0	0	33	2	10
3	Crusaders	0	2	0	-20	2	6
4	Hurricanes	1	2	0	-19	1	5
5	Highlanders	0	2	0	-31	0	4
South Africa Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Bulls	2	0	0	18	1	9
2	Sharks	2	0	0	13	0	8
3	Southern Kings	1	0	0	12	0	8
4	Cheetahs	1	2	0	-32	1	5
5	Stormers	0	2	0	-14	1	1

Flying fullback Jesse Mogg was the standout for the home side as he continued to put himself in the frame for a Wallabies debut.

Christian Lealiifano got the home team off to a great start, nailing three penalty shots within the first 10 minutes in front of a crowd of 20,027.

Captain Ben Mowen was then personally rewarded with a try in the 25th minute after opting for a five-metre lineout instead of taking the three points from a penalty.

Lealiifano showed why many consider him also to be a Wallaby-in-waiting, pouncing on a Mogg grubber in the 34th minute to score in the corner and put the Brumbies in a comfortable position going into the break.

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Re-live the action from the Brumbies' emphatic triumph over the Waratahs in our Super Rugby Match Centre, featuring video highlights.

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The Waratahs looked more promising early in the second half but failed to capitalise on numerous opportunities, before Brumbies winger Henry Speight crossed to put any hopes of a comeback to bed.

Mogg then set up replacement Robbie Coleman for a length of the field five-pointer in what will be a contender for try of the year and delivered the Brumbies a four try bonus point win.

It was the Brumbies' first four-try bonus point against the Waratahs since 2007.

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Roar, Victory in pulsating draw

Equaliser ... Ivan Franjic beats Nathan Coe to score. Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited

Brisbane Roar continued to thwart Melbourne Victory and their former coach Ange Postecoglou with a 1-1 draw in an enthralling A-League encounter at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

While the defending champions were far more welcoming of their old mentor than back in round two, Postecoglou endured a frustrating second return to Brisbane as the Victory failed to end a seven-match winless run against the Roar.

Diminutive midfielder Leigh Broxham scored the first headed goal of his career, and the visitors could well have led 3-0 at halftime, but the home side finished the stronger on a patchy surface.

After a month of rain and a series of rugby union and league matches, the pitch failed to deliver the even surface the Roar are used to at home.

But it did not prevent two quality goals and an entertaining contest in which Brisbane had a 12,624-strong crowd expecting a late winner as Ben Halloran made a huge impact off the bench.

The draw left third-placed Melbourne five points behind second-placed Central Coast on the A-League table while Brisbane are out of the six, but just one point from fifth.

Melbourne had lost in their past four visits to Brisbane, including the 5-0 rout in round two when anti-Postecoglou signs and chants were the order of the day.

Despite an enterprising opening 25 minutes by the home side, Melbourne looked in control and set for the three points at 1-0 approaching the hour mark.

But a superb pass by classy midfielder Luke Brattan put Ivan Franjic in the clear down the right sideline and the winger finished brilliantly by blazing past goalkeeper Nathan Coe.

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Re-live the end-to-end action from Brisbane Roar's draw with Melbourne Victory in our A-League Match Centre, featuring video highlights.

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Counterpart Michael Theo had until then kept the Roar in the match with some desperate reflex saves, stopping close-range efforts by Daniel Mullen and Archie Thompson.

Theo had no way of preventing a stunning opening goal by Broxham, against the run of play in the 11th minute.

Thompson had perfectly timed and weighted a lofted cross in the box for the 169cm Broxham who leapt high onto the back of Franjic, Australian Rules style, and headed over Theo.

The Roar, with captain Thomas Broich taking a far more direct approach on goal, continued to outflank Melbourne for most of the first half but the Victory's defence was up to each foray.

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