Somerville scored one of the Crusaders' tries

Canterbury Crusaders ended the Otago Highlanders' home record with a tight 17-16 victory at Carisbrook.

The Highlanders were seeking a 17th straight win at the stadium.

Ironically, reigning champions Crusaders were the last team to beat them there in the 1999 Super 12 final.

Tries from prop Greg Somerville and flyhalf Daniel Carter put the Crusaders ahead 14-6 at halftime, but the Highlanders fought back after the break to lead 16-14 when replacement number eight Sam Harding scored a converted try.

But Carter, who was playing Colts rugby this time last season and had come into the side in place of injured All Black flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens, kicked the winning penalty five minutes from time.

Elsewhere on Saturday, All Black winger Jonah Lomu started his second Super 12 match of the season as his Wellington Hurricanes team beat the Chiefs 24-14 to move into the competition's top four.

But, as with his only other start this season against South Africa's Bulls three weeks ago, Lomu was substituted just after halftime by Brent Ward, who scored a try five minutes later.

The Hurricanes, who had never before won a home game against the Chiefs, outscored their opponents by three tries to two, Rodney So'oialo, Ward and Riki Flutey all crossing the line.

The Queensland Reds won their first match of the season beating the New South Wales Waratahs 35-23.

Queensland scored two tries in the space of 90 seconds while man of the match Chris Latham added a third, despite an eye injury.

The Reds trailed 13-9 at half time but they started their comeback in the seventh minute of the second half when replacement forward Rudi Vedelago went over.

Winger Wendell Sailor stole the ball from the restart and charged downfield to score a second and when Elton Flatley added the extras, Queensland took a 10-point lead which they never relinquished.

A late try by Steve Kefu in the last play of the game ensured a bonus point for the Reds, although they are still at the foot of the table.

Saturday's other game saw the Coastal Sharks secure a valuable 29-23 away win over the Golden Cats in Johannesburg.

Gateau's try was in vain

Fiji winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca scored two tries as the Auckland Blues romped to an easy 41-15 win over the ACT Brumbies on Friday.

His two scores came before half-time and were breathtaking individual efforts down the length of the wing.

It was the first game this season for the Blues on their home ground at Eden Park, which has undergone major ground modifications to prevent it reverting to the swamp it was a century back.

Twenty minutes into the game referee Andre Watson sinbinned Brumbies Scott Fava, who had engaged in some modest punching after the whistle.

It was the signal for the Blues to finally get underway with Doug Howlett opening the try-scoring after the Blues rolled over a Brumbies ruck.

After the break Xavier Rush resumed the Blues scoring and, despite the Brumbies replying through Matt Gateau, the game was over as a competitive contest.

Right on full-time the Blues rumbled towards the try line again and were seemingly certain to score a try when George Gregan illegally interfered, conceding a penalty try.

Super 12: Week Six

Saturday:
Highlanders 16-17 Crusaders
Hurricanes 24-14 Chiefs
Reds 35-23 Waratahs
Cats 23-29 Sharks