THE Lions answered harsh criticism from former New Zealand skipper Sean Fitzpatrick with a rousing 33-27 Super 14 win over the Chiefs.

THE Sharks collected a crucial five points to keep alive their hopes of reaching the Super 14 semi-finals with a 33-14 win over the Cheetahs.

A DRAW in any sporting contest is an unsatisfactory experience.

CRUSADERS and New Zealand five-eighth Dan Carter is set to join French rugby club Toulon on a lucrative six-month contract, according to French newspaper reports.

CRONULLA could confirm as early as Tuesday it has won the race for Trent Barrett following news unwanted halfback Brett Kimmorley is close to joining the Bulldogs next season.

MANLY fullback Brett Stewart passed his State of Origin screen test with flying colours and then declared himself ready to duel with the man who took his Australian Test jersey.

CELEBRATIONS will start early for State of Origin-bound back-rower Anthony Laffranchi, with the in-form forward signing a lucrative new three-year deal with the Gold Coast.

ST GEORGE Illawarra centre Mark Gasnier confirmed he had "explored the option" of playing rugby union in France.

NEW South Wales will look to avoid the road to ruin when they travel to Brisbane this week to play arch-rivals Queensland in the last round of the Super 14.

CHIEFS prop Ben May's Super 14 season is over after he was suspended for three weeks for careless use of his feet against the Lions.

INCENSED New South Wales skipper Phil Waugh fired a shot at Kiwi referee Lyndon Bray over a mysterious post-siren "phantom penalty" that could have helped Waratahs snatch victory over the Stormers in Cape Town.

NEW Zealander John Plumtree has been named as the new coach of the Sharks.

PARRAMATTA halfback Brett Finch will remain an Eel until the end of the 2011 season after signing a new three-year deal with the NRL club.

DUAL international Wendell Sailor said a desire to go out on his own terms was his prime motivation after today signing with St George Illawarra until the end of the 2009 NRL season.

GOLD Coast co-captain Luke Bailey is expecting to make his return from a broken wrist in Friday's NRL clash with the Bulldogs at Skilled Park.

BULLDOGS prop Jarrad Hickey will escape suspension for a tackle which left Penrith's Frank Puletua with a fractured eye socket despite being charged by the NRL match review committee.

The Stormers and the visiting Waratahs had to be content with two points apiece, after they played out to a 13-all draw in trying wet conditions in Newlands on Saturday evening.Post-match both sides' captains appeared long-faced and looked as though

The Lions turned in an inspired performance to beat the Chiefs at Ellis Park on Saturday. In the process they did the Sharks and the Stormers a massive favour by denting the hopes of semi-final qualification for the men from

The Sharks kept their slim Super 14 play-off chances alive with a late bonus point 33-14 win over a game Cheetahs side at the ABSA Stadium, Durban on Saturday. The match was very much alive until the last two minutes,

Nick Evans inspired the Blues to victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin to keep their semi-final hopes alive.