 Mehrtens limped off for the Crusaders |
Canterbury Crusaders fly-half Andrew Mehrtens could miss next week's Super 12 top-of-the-table tie with the Auckland Blues after injuring his knee in the 34-6 win against the Queensland Reds on Saturday. The All Black number 10 limped off the field in the 27th minute and Crusaders captain Reuben Thorne said he was unlikely to be fit for the Albany match.
The Crusaders notched up their 15th straight Super 12 win - after clinching the title unbeaten in 2002 - with four tries from Ben Thorn, Richie McCaw, Leon MacDonald and Caleb Ralph.
Mehrtens added a conversion and a penalty, and Daniel Carter kicked three penalties, while the Reds could only muster two three-pointers from Elton Flatley.
In Saturday's early game, fly-half Louis Koen kicked nine goals from 10 attempts to give the Northern Bulls their first Super 12 win outside South Africa, 46-34 over the Wellington Hurricanes.
The Bulls, who remain unbeaten, took a bonus point for four tries, including a penalty try, and Koen added four conversions, five penalties and his fourth dropped goal in two matches.
Fellow South African side the Cats were not so fortunate, slipping to a 48-36 home defeat to Australia's New South Wales Waratahs.
Former league star Mat Rogers chipped in with two tries for the Waratahs, who scored six tries in all.
On Friday, the Auckland Blues maintained their winning start to this year's competition with a 30-27 victory over the Chiefs in Waikato
The Blues overcame the sending-off of lock Troy Flavell after just five minutes to dominate possession and score four tries to Waikato's three.
Flavell appeared to stamp on the head of Chiefs hooker Greg Smith and referee Paddy O'Brien had no hesitation in sending him off.
Results: Week Two
Friday:
Chiefs 27-30 Blues
Saturday:
Highlanders 41-17 Stormers
Hurricanes 34-46 Bulls
Crusaders 34-6 Reds
Cats 36-48 Waratahs
Sharks v Brumbies
MMIX
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