The Stormers kept their slim semi-final hopes alive when they narrowly beat the Reds 15-13 at Cape Town on Saturday.

Stormers - Tries: Jean De Villiers, Luke Watson. Conversion: Chris Rossouw. Penalty: Chris Rossouw

Reds - Try: Sean Hardman. Conversion: Julian Huxley. Penalty: Julian Huxley (2)

The Guardian are speculating that All Black and Blues fly half Carlos Spencer may move to Northampton to play in the Zurich Premiership.

Although the article appears to be pure speculation, a rumour is circulating that the Saints are interested in Spencer.

Spencer has been dropped from the starting side for the Blues’ last two games in the Super 12. If he can’t force his way back into the starting side then a move to the United Kingdom may well be on the books.

The Chiefs defeated the Sharks 40-5 in a Super 12 game played at Waikato Stadium on Saturday.

Going into the match both teams had only recorded one win this year, so were desparate for the win.

Lock Keith Robinson was set to make his return from injury for the Chiefs, but failed a fitness test before the game and was replaced by Sean Hohneck.
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Former All Black John Kirwan was dumped by the Italian Rugby Federation as coach of the Italy national side.

A message from the federation said “The council of the Italian Rugby Federation, presided over by president Giancarlo Dondi, met in Bologna and decided to rescind the contract that tied the coach John Kirwan to the national team.”

Kirwan took over as coach in March 2002 and was contracted through until after the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Italy finished last in this years 6 Nations competition after losing all their games. Despite poor performance Kirwan was still keen to stay on as coach.

The replacement is yet to be named.

The Highlanders were able to hold out against the Brumbies to beat them 19-18 in a match played at Carisbrook on Friday night.

Near the middle of the second half Stirling Mortlock was able to spin out of a tackle and cross the try line to score. This took the Brumbies to 1 point away from the Highlanders, however Matt Giteau was unable to convert the try to take the lead.

The Brumbies had a few opportunities to score but were held out by determined defence from the Highlanders. Including a grubber kick in the last moments of the match that could have resulted in a try if it had been better judged.

This loss is the third in a row for the Brumbies, the defending champions.

While the win moves the Highlanders into second place on the table.

Highlanders - Try: Grant Webb. Penalties: Ben Blair (3). Conversion: Ben Blair. Dropped goal: Nick Evans.

Brumbies - Tries: Henari Veratau, Stirling Mortlock. Penalties: Matt Giteau (2). Conversion: Matt Giteau .

Lock Keith Robinson will return to the Chiefs starting team when they play the Sharks at Waikato Stadium this Saturday.

Robinson has been out with back problems for just under a year. He has played some club games in the past weeks and has trained with the team.

Captain Jono Gibbes is out with an injured hamstring and will miss the game. No. 8 Stephen Bates will fill in as captain for the game.

Chiefs: Sosene Anesi, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Niva Taauso, David Hill, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Stephen Donald, Byron Kelleher, Steven Bates (captain), Marty Holah, Sione Lauaki, Keith Robinson, Bernie Upton, Deacon Manu, Aleki Lutui, Michael Collins

Replacements: Scott Linklater, Simms Davison, Sean Hohneck, Wayne Ormond, Kevin Senio, Keith Lowen, Adrian Cashmore

The Waratahs have successfully re-signed fullback/winger Peter Hewat to a three year contract.

Hewat was targeted by the new Perth based Super 14 franchise. And has said the offer from Perth was attractive, but Hewat wanted to stay in New South Wales.

“This is a great deal for me but more importantly it’s where I really want to be,” said Hewat.

Hewat, whose preferred position is fullback, will start on the wing for the coming game against the Hurricanes following the return from injury of Mat Rogers.

Waratahs fullback Mat Rogers will make his return from injury in Sunday’s Super 12 match against the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Rogers has been unable to play in the Waratahs’ last four matches because of a groin injury.

The return of Rogers causes somewhat of dilemma for the Waratahs as his replacement Peter Hewart has performed so well. The Waratahs are yet to name their starting lineup, but it is likely that Hewart will be switched to the wing.

Rookie backrower Wycliff Palu sustained nerve damage in his shoulder in the game against the Crusaders and is likely to be out injured. While lock Daniel Vickerman has a shoulder injury but is likely to be fit in time to play.

The Blues defeated the Brumbies 17-0 at Eden Park on Saturday Night.

The Blues were able to keep the defending champions scoreless with a convincing win.

Doug Howlett opened the scoring when he was able to outpace the Brumbies covering defence to recover a kick from Luke McAlistair and cross the try line to score.

The subsequent conversion and a following penalty kick gave the Blues a 10-0 lead going into halftime.

For the Brumbies both Clyde Rathbone and Stephen Larkham left the field with injury.

After halftime McAlistair was able to score a try and convert it.

Blues - Tries: Doug Howlett, Luke Mc Alistair. Conversions: Luke McAlistair (2) Penalty: Luke Mc Alistair

Brumbies -

The Hurricanes defeated the Chiefs 28-16 in the first game of Super 12 round 6 in a game played at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The Chiefs started well dominating field position in the early parts of the game, which resulted in try to fly-half David Hill in the 8th minute of the game.

The Hurricanes scored their first points in the 33rd minute when Stephen Bates was penalised for playing the ball in the ruck and Jimmy Gopperth kicked the resulting penalty.
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