Hurricanes surge to big lead after Super 15 triumph over Chiefs

New Zealand’s Wellington Hurricanes have opened up a 14-point lead at the top of the Super Rugby standings with a tense win over title rivals Waikato Chiefs at the weekend, while the ACT Brumbies ended a run of defeats.

The Hurricanes won their summit battle 22-18 to extend their lead over the two-time champions Chiefs in the New Zealand conference and underlined their claims as the team to beat in this year’s championship.

The Brumbies recovered from back-to-back losses to down South Africa's Golden Lions 30-20 in Johannesburg to hold down second place overall and edge two points clear of the NSW Waratahs in the Australian conference.

It also remains a tight race in South Africa with the Northern Bulls coming away from their 23-18 defeat against the Auckland Blues with a losing bonus point.

The Pretoria-based Bulls lead the Western Stormers by just one point in the South African conference after the Stormers had this weekend off along with the Canterbury Crusaders and Western Force.

The Chiefs, 13 points behind the 'Canes, are the second-most successful team although they remain in fourth place under the conference system which reserves the first three places for the top teams from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

New Zealand's Otago Highlanders are on equal points with the Chiefs in fifth spot after downing the Central Cheetahs 45-24 in Bloemfontein.