Upset across the Tasman helps send Qld to top of Super Rugby Pacific table

Queensland now leads the Super Rugby Pacific competition after a 28-24 win over the Western Force in Brisbane and a huge upset in Christchurch on Saturday.

Reds flanker John Bryant was yellow-carded in the 68th minute for a dangerous clean-out as the visitors led by three points.

But Reds scrumhalf Tate McDermott touched down in the 73rd minute and Queensland defended grimly from then on to seal the result.

The result lifted the Reds into top spot after the Crusaders’ shock 45-29 loss to Moana Pasifika in Christchurch earlier on Saturday.

The Reds’ clash with the Chiefs this Friday in New Zealand is now a top-of-the-table battle.

BRUMBIES VS HIGHLANDERS

The ACT Brumbies are in the top four after a 34-27 win over the Dunedin-based Highlanders in Canberra on Friday.

There were seven changes of the lead in a game that could have gone either way.

The Brumbies led 15-5 at the break but the Highlanders fought back with two tries in 15 minutes to lead by four in the second half.

“We did well to hold them out at the end but we shouldn’t be in that situation,” centre Len Ikitau told TV broadcasters afterwards.

“We switched off (in the second half) but just happy we got the win in a tough game; very physical.”

HURRICANES V WARATAHS

The Hurricanes lived up to their name when they blew away the NSW Waratahs 57-12 in Wellington on Friday.

The Waratahs started both halves with tries but that was all they could celebrate as they were dominated by the hosts.

Winger Kini Naholo crossed for a hat-trick as the Hurricanes scored 35 unanswered points to run away with the contest.

The Waratahs returned home with injury concerns: fullback Max Jorgensen’s season is in jeopardy with a suspected ankle injury and flyhalf failed to see out the first half.

• IN the upset result of the year so far, Moana Pasifika upset perennial favourites Crusaders 45-29 in Christchurch in a NZ derby.

Former Wallaby James O’Connor started at 10 for the Crusaders and kicked two conversions and a penalty.

The other teams had a bye.

SEVENS NEWS

In the Hong Kong Sevens, Australia lost 26-19 to New Zealand in the women’s final while the men beat Fiji 22-21 for third place after they had lost 31-7 to Argentina, who defeated Olympic champions France 12-7 in the final.