Super 14 weekend round-up

Canterbury Crusaders ran in eight tries to crush Western Force 53-0 in Christchurch.

The battle between second and third in the table turned into a one-sided rout as the Canterbury Crusaders crushed Western Force 53-0.

With Dan Carter back in action, the defending Super 14 champions ran in eight tries in a scintilatting display in Christchurch.

Locks Ross Filipo scored a hat-trick while second-row partner Kieran Reid helped himself to a brace. Carter kicked five conversions and a penalty.

As if the heavy defeat wasn't bad enough for the Force, hooker Brendan Cannon was carried off the pitch with what looked like a serious injury.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Waikato Chiefs kept their slim hopes of a semi-final spot alive with a 38-34 victory over Otago Highlanders.

With five tries apiece, Chiefs fly-half Stephen Donald proved the difference between the two sides with a perfect record with his conversion attempts.

In a rare daylight match, All Black winger Sitiveni Sivivatu - playing at full-back - and Lelia Masaga both scored two tries apiece for the hosts in Queenstown.

The Sharks moved themselves into third in the table with a comprehensive 59-16 victory over the Queensland Reds.

After leading 17-10 at half-time, the visitors completely dominated the match after the break, JP Pietersen, AJ Venter, Waylon Murray, Brad Barritt, Keegan Daniel and Bismarck du Plessis all crossing the line.

While the Sharks are floating towards the top, defeat leaves the Reds rooted to the foot of the standings with just one win in nine matches.

Isaia Toeava starred as table-toppers Auckland Blues beat the Cheetahs 26-8 in Friday's fixture.

Toeava had a hand in all three of the Blues' tries, his ability to break the defensive line leading to scores for Steve Devine, Doug Howlett and Anthony Tuitavake.

Devine opened the scoring in the third minute, while Howlett finished off a flowing move for his sixth try of the season just before half-time.

After 49 minutes, an incisive break and perfectly timed pass from Toeava allowed flanker Daniel Braid to send left winger Tuitavake over in the corner.

The Cheetahs defended with commitment and discipline but had only a fifth-minute Herkie Kruger penalty and a late try from Ryno van der Merwe to show for their efforts at Eden Park.

The Stormers damaged the Lions' play-off hopes in Saturday's final fixture - winning 30-8 at Fedsure Park.

Peter Grant was the hero as he contributed the game's opening try in a 20-point solo performance.

Springbok centre Jaque Fourie briefly gave the Lions hope with a try midway through the second half, but the hosts were always on top.

Naas Olivier's touchdown in the final minute crowned a fine day for the Stormers, who move further away from the bottom of the table.

With Wallaby half-backs George Gregan and Stephen Larkham pulling the stringsthe Brumbies ran in five tries to inflict a seventh defeat in nine matches for their fellow Australian opponents.

The visitors always held the upper hand and seized control early on through tries from winger Mark Gerrard and flanker Jone Tawake.

With Gerrard crossing the whitewash again before the interval, the Brumbies went in 22-3 ahead at the interval with the Waratahs sole score a penalty from the boot of Peter Hewat.

It was a similar story in the second period, although the hosts were first on the board as flanker Rocky Elsom rumbled over in the corner.

However, it proved little more than a consolation as the Brumbies cut loose in the closing stages with two further tries from the outstanding Larkham.