BRISBANE, Australia — Winger Rod Davies scored two tries as the Queensland Reds notched a bonus-point four tries before halftime in beating South Africa's Sharks 32-17 in Super Rugby Friday. The win ended a series of close matches for the Reds — two draws and a one-point win in their last three matches. It pulled the Queenslanders to within a point of the first-place ACT Brumbies in the Australian conference, while the Sharks, last year's runner-up, lost their fifth consecutive match. The Brumbies, who also lead the overall Super standings early in the 13th round, had a weekend bye. The Reds led 29-3 at halftime but the Durban-based Sharks came back to score two tries to pull to within 12 points before flyhalf Quade Cooper kicked a penalty with seven minutes remaining. Cooper kicked two penalties and three conversions overall for 12 points. The Faingaa brothers — Saia and Anthony — added tries to Davies' total in the first half, while scrumhalf Will Genia led the home side well in the absence of regular skipper James Horwill, who did not play due to a jaw injury. Genia and Cooper combined for both of the Faingaas' tries before Genia's cross-field grubber put Davies into space for his first try. The Sharks came out strongly in the second half, with tries to winger Piet Lindeque and flanker Derick Minnie adding some respectability to the scoreline. Chiefs edge Force In New Zealand, All Blacks flyhalf Aaron Cruden kicked 17 points in an unexpected starting appearance for the Chiefs who edged the Western Force 22-21 in Super Rugby also Friday. Cruden was listed to begin the match in the reserves, to enjoy a small respite in the 13th round, but was promoted into the starting lineup when fullback and regular goalkicker Gareth Anscombe was diagnosed with a broken toe. The Hamilton-based Chiefs needed Cruden's conversion and five penalties to edge the 13th-placed Force by a point; to remain atop the New Zealand conference but a point behind the ACT Brumbies on the overall tournament standings. — Agencies
