BRISBANE — Australia flyhalf Quade Cooper scored a try among his 18 points to lead the Queensland Reds to 23-18 win over South Africa's Bulls in Super 15 rugby Saturday. The Reds led 13-6 at halftime before some anxious moments in the second half. The Bulls looked to have sealed the match when Bjorn Basson crashed over after the siren, only for video replays to show Chris Feauai-Sautia's tackle had forced the winger to put a stray foot into touch. Wallabies skipper James Horwill returned to the lineup after a near year-long wait on the sidelines with hamstring and ankle problems. The Reds improved to 4-2 for the season, while the Pretoria-based Bulls lost for the second time in five matches. Crusaders beat Kings Brothers George and Luke Whitelock shared four tries and expectant father Dan Carter kicked 16 points as the Crusaders trounced the Southern Kings 55-20 in Super Rugby in New Zealand also Saturday. Flanker George Whitelock scored three tries, two in the first half and a third, five minutes from fulltime, to carry the Crusaders beyond 50 points. Cheetahs win again The Cheetahs of South Africa won their third consecutive road match in Australasia, a 19-12 win Saturday over the Western Force to spoil the Australian side's first home match of the season. The Cheetahs picked up nine points on their best-ever tour of Australia and New Zealand with wins over the New South Wales Waratahs, the Otago-based Highlanders and the Force. The Force dominated play in the first half and scored a try through Winston Stanley, but the Cheetahs hit back with a late try to Willie Le Roux to seal the result. Sharks demolish Melbourne The Sharks scored six second-half tries and a record 10 in all in a 64-7 demolition of the Melbourne Rebels in Super 15 rugby in Durban. The South African team sent Melbourne to its heaviest defeat in its three seasons in Super Rugby. The Sharks also had their most tries in a Super Rugby game. — Agencies
