Sharks rest as Bulls look to stem slide in 11th round of Super 14

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — South Africa’s presence among the top four teams in rugby’s Super 14 will come under threat in round 11 when the Sharks have a bye after two straight losses and the fading Bulls host the first-place Waikato Chiefs.

Bulldogs refused permission to appeal penalty for extra player infringement

SYDNEY — Canterbury Bulldogs will not be allowed to appeal the deduction of two competition points for having 14 men on the field when the winning try was scored in its second-round National Rugby League match against Penrith last month.

Veteran flanker Waugh extends Australia contract through 2011 Rugby World Cup

SYDNEY — Flanker Phil Waugh has extended his contract with the Australian Rugby Union and the New South Wales Waratahs until after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Fiji Rugby Union posts $700,000 deficit, blames lack of sponsorship

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Fiji Rugby Union posted a 700,000 Fiji dollars ($313,000) loss in the last financial year, despite a cash injection of more than F$2 million (US$900,000) from the International Rugby Board, the Fiji Times reported Wednesday.

Wallabies negotiating to play All Blacks in Tokyo and make 1st Grand Slam tour 25 years

SYDNEY — The Australian Rugby Union is close to securing a fourth Bledisloe Cup test in Tokyo and its first Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland in 25 years.

Super 14: Richard Kahui, James McGougan cleared a judicial hearing

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — All Blacks center Richard Kahui was found not guilty on a dangerous tackle charge when he appeared at a Super 14 rugby judicial hearing in Kimberley, South Africa on Sunday.

Stacey Jones score a try, kicks extra time field goal for Warriors’ NRL win over Roosters

SYDNEY — Veteran halfback Stacey Jones scored a try in regulation and kicked a field goal four minutes into sudden-death extra time to give the New Zealand Warriors at 17-16 comeback win Sunday over the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League.

Super 14: Chiefs on top as Sharks falter in 10th round

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Waikato Chiefs found themselves in an unaccustomed position on top of the Super 14 rugby table after the 10th round, with a little help from their compatriots the Canterbury Crusaders.

Force win 15-14 over Waratahs in Super 14 to complete all-Australian sweep

SYDNEY — Scott Staniforth and Cameron Shepherd scored second-half tries against their former team to lead the Western Force to a 15-14 win over the New South Wales Waratahs in Super 14 rugby Saturday.

Lions beat Queensland Reds 31-20 in Super 14 match involving also-rans

BRISBANE, Australia — Winger Henno Mentz scored two tries Saturday as South Africa’s Lions beat the Queensland Reds 31-20 in a match between the also-rans in Super 14 rugby.

Super 14: Hurricanes beat Stormers 34-11, claim bonus point

Hurricanes beat Stormers 34-11

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Ma’a Nonu scored two tries and flyhalf Willie Ripia kept a perfect kicking record as the Wellington Hurricanes beat the leaderless Stormers 34-11 in Super 14 rugby on Saturday.