The ACT Brumbies maintained their first-place lead in the Australian conference of Super 15 rugby and firmed as playoff participants with a 27-19 win over the Melbourne Rebels Friday. The win left the Brumbies with a five-point lead over the defending champion Queensland Reds, but with a favorable schedule to end the season after a monthlong break for international Tests. When the Brumbies resume play at the end of June, they'll play their last three matches against teams with losing records — away encounters against the Western Force and New South Wales and a home game against the Auckland Blues to end the regular season. Highlanders beaten In New Zealand, All Blacks winger Zac Guildford scored two tries, both created by flyhalf Daniel Carter who kicked 16 points, as the Canterbury Crusaders beat the Otago Highlanders 51-18 in Super 15 rugby Friday. Guildford, who will likely play in New Zealand's June tests against Ireland, fetched Carter's chip kicks in the 29th and 34th minutes to score tries which gave the Crusaders control after the Highlanders rallied from 10-0 down to lead 13-10. The Crusaders posted their highest-ever score against the Highlanders and moved up to second place at the start of the tournament's 15th round.
