WELLINGTON — The defending champion New South Wales Waratahs ended the Hurricanes' seven-match unbeaten start to the Super Rugby season Saturday, winning 29-24 in a thrilling match in which both teams scored four tries. The Hurricanes returned to the top of the table by one point after they had conceded first place to the Chiefs, who beat the Crusaders 26-9 Friday. The Dunedin-based Highlanders held out against a furious second-half rally by the Auckland-based Blues to win 30-24 in the second match in New Zealand. At Canberra, the Melbourne Rebels held the ACT Brumbies to a penalty goal in the second half for a 13-8 win in steady rain. The Western Stormers defeated Western Force 13-6 in Perth in another match. — AP
