PERTH — Fullback Jason Woodward scored a pair of tries as the Melbourne Rebels overcame a late comeback attempt by the Western Force to win 30-23 in the Super 15 on Saturday. The Rebels led 15-0 and then 15-11 at halftime before the Force leveled at 23-23. It was Melbourne's first match since a disastrous road trip to South Africa, where it lost twice, including 64-7 to the Durban-based Sharks. Following that match, Wallaby and Rebels fullback Kurtley Beale was involved in an altercation with captain Gareth Delve and Cooper Vuna and was later suspended. Scott Higginbotham, captaining the Rebels for the first time, said it was a much-needed confidence boost for his team. Hurricanes beat Waratahs In Wellington, prop Reg Goodes and hooker Motu Matu'u scored tries while Goodes created another in a festival of front-rowers' skills as the Hurricanes beat the New South Wales Waratahs 41-29 in Super Rugby Saturday. The South African-born Goodes made one of two tries for Julian Savea, showing the skills of a midfield back by throwing a long cut-out pass that created space for the giant winger. He then played the role of winger himself, turning up on the left touchline to take the last pass in a slick back movement, shrugging off a defender to score. Motu'u also showed extraordinary skill for a front-rower, ranging out wide and pouncing on a pinpoint kick behind the goal line by flyhalf Beauden Barrett. Sharks beat Crusaders In South Africa, Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie's perfect kicking display lead the Sharks to a 21-17 win over the Crusaders Friday. Lambie landed seven from seven penalties to lift the Sharks past New Zealand's visiting Crusaders at Kings Park and prevent the Christchurch team leaving South Africa with back-to-back wins. Clermont in semis In France, New Zealand winger Sitiveti Sivivatu scored a 60-meter try as Clermont Auvergne recovered from a sluggish start to book its place in the Heineken Cup semifinals with a 36-14 home thrashing of fellow Top 14 side Montpellier Saturday. New Zealand wing Sivivatu collected the ball from France centre Wesley Fofana in his own half and slalomed through the visitors' defence to help extend Clermont's unbeaten home run to 58 matches. They will host Harlequins or Munster in Montpellier for a place in the final. “The team worked really hard that's why I scored,” Man-of-the-Match Sivivatu told French TV channel France 2. — Agencies
