AUCKLAND — South Africa's Sharks strode closer to a home semifinal in Super Rugby with a 29-23 win over the Blues Friday, simultaneously eliminating the Auckland-based side from playoffs contention. Flyhalf Francois Steyn kicked 16 points, contributed to a controversial second-half try, and spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin while ensuring the Sharks won for the third time in four matches on their tour to Australia and New Zealand, and maintained their season-long reign atop. In Melbourne, Israel Folau equaled the franchise record with his 10th try of the season as the New South Wales Waratahs beat the Melbourne Rebels 41-19 Friday to top the Australian conference. — AP
