Win lifts Waratahs to fifth

The Waratahs defeated the Lions 29-12 in Saturday’s Super Rugby action, with the Crusaders and Cheetahs also registering wins.

Hosts Waratahs scored five well-executed tries to take a commanding 29-5 lead into the break at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Prop Sekope Kepu and flanker Chris Alcock were the stand-out performers for the Waratahs, while backs Kurtley Beale, Berrick Barnes and Ryan Cross all produced moments of quality in the opening 40 minutes.

The home side eased off and failed to register another point in the second half, but two tries from Sosene Anesi and one apiece from Beale, Cross and substitute Tom Kingston – the first in Super Rugby for the 19-year-old – had already done the damage in the opening exchanges.

The win lifts the Waratahs to fifth in the table, three points behind Crusaders, who overcame the Chiefs 25-19 in Napier.

All Black Dan Carter was the danger for the Crusaders, scoring one try, converting two and kicking five penalties, with Luke Romano the other man to touch down.

The Chiefs failed to score a try and it took fly-half Stephen Donald’s four penalties to keep the visitors in contention.

Western Force played out a 13-13 draw against the Brumbies in Perth, with Sam Wykes cancelling out Henry Speight’s early try for the hosts.

The Brumbies’ Matt Giteau and Force inside-centre James O’Connor kicked one conversion and two penalties apiece.

A share of the spoils leaves Western Force 12th, three points ahead of the Brumbies, who are 13th.

The Rebels are one place and five points worse off in 14th after they went down 41-21 at the Cheetahs.

Corne Uys and Adriaan Strauss claimed two tries each for the South African hosts, with Josias Ebersohn kicking four conversions and two penalties.

The Cheetahs are now up to ninth, but remain six points behind the eighth-placed Bulls, who won 32-23 away to the Sharks.