Werner Kruger scored a 78th-minute try to push the Bulls past the Waratahs 27-24 in their Super Rugby match at Sydney Football Stadium Friday and all but end the home side's playoff hopes. Prop Kruger rolled over beneath a pile of players to plant the ball over the line and secure the Johannesburg-based side's eighth victory of the season, cementing top spot in the South African conference of the southern hemisphere provincial competition. “It's always tough coming to Sydney,” Bulls captain Pierre Spies said in a pitchside interview. “We had to fight it out to the end. I'm very proud of the team. “When you're playing away from home you need that defence... We're going to enjoy tonight and re-focus on Monday.” The late try was a cruel blow for the Waratahs who dominated possession and territory for most of the night but wilted under pressure in the final minutes. The Waratahs were left trailing local rivals ACT Brumbies by nine points, with the Canberra-based side holding a game in hand and in the box seat to secure an automatic spot in the playoffs at the top of the Australian conference. The Waratahs led 13-10 at halftime and held a 24-20 lead in the final minutes but failed to land the knockout punch as they slumped to their seventh loss of the season. Blues halt losing streak In Auckland, the Auckland Blues ended a seven-match losing streak when they beat South Africa's Lions 25-3 to escape from last place in the battle of the basement Friday. Center Michael Hobbs, reserve scrumhalf Alby Mathewson and captain Luke Braid scored tries as the Blues won for only the second time in 11 matches this season, swapping places with the Johannesburg-based Lions who dropped to the bottom of the table. The Blues' win was a small oasis in their most barren Super rugby season, ending the dire run of form that will likely cost coach Pat Lam his job and which has jeopardized the selection chances of several of their All Blacks. Scrumhalf Piri Weepu played only 47 minutes before being replaced by Mathewson as he continues to contend with fitness issues which have dogged him throughout the season. Loosehead prop Tony Woodcock started the match after previously being ruled out because of injury and played a part in a dominant scrum before being replaced shortly after Weepu. Center Ma'a Nonu made a couple of linebreaks but was part of a generally directionless Blues backline which lacked the handling skills or support play to create continuous attacking threats. Lock Ali Williams, who seems most likely to lose his All Blacks jersey, had another match which only highlighted his low workrate. The Blues were only able to win because they finally found a team that outdid them in incompetence. The Lions, jointly coached by former All Blacks coach John Mitchell and former Blues and New Zealand flyhalf Carlos Spencer, lacked energy and succeeded only in making the Blues look good.
