CANBERRA, Australia (AP) The ACT Brumbies remained unbeaten and ended a four-match losing streak to New South Wales in beating the Waratahs 32-15 in Super Rugby on Friday.
Meanwhile, in Christchurch, New Zealand, the Crusaders relied on a dominant scrum to defeat the Auckland-based Blues 28-13, leaving both teams with a win and a loss after two rounds.
The Brumbies didn't take advantage of 20 minutes with a man advantage in the first half of a feisty match, but pulled ahead on Christian Leali'ifano's second penalty, and Joe Tomane's try, after he ran off scrum ball and ran over Waratahs flyhalf Kurtley Beale.
The Waratahs replied immediately with a Nick Phipps try to close within three at 18-15, but the Brumbies regained control with superb set-piece work, and earned a penalty try from an attempted pushover, and an injury-time breakout score for replacement Nigel Ah Wong.
The Waratahs' loss was compounded by injuries to Wallabies Tatafu Polata-Nau (arm) and Rob Horne (knee).
In the opening match of the round, the Crusaders were awarded a penalty try in the first half when the Blues' scrum crumbled under persistent pressure. Dominance at set pieces gave them an overwhelming territorial advantage and they posted second-half tries to Keiran Read and Richie Mo'unga, who scored 18 points.
The Blues' only try came from winger Tevita Li.
New Blues coach Tana Umaga is likely to face some criticism after making six changes to the lineup which beat defending champion the Highlanders in last weekend's opening round. The Crusaders started with a loss to the Chiefs.
