Rugby: Hurricanes can't hold out unbeaten Bulls

Desperate defence wasn't enough for the Hurricanes, whose Super 14 rugby campaign took another blow with a tight 19-18 loss to the competition-leading Bulls in Pretoria this morning (NZT).

Starved of possession and territory for long periods, the Hurricanes somehow scored two tries to one but a high error count eventually saw them succumb to the kicking of Bulls super-boot Morne Steyn.

Up 18-10 with half an hour remaining, the visitors were overwhelmed up front by the big-mauling hosts and first five-eighth Steyn was the beneficiary with three penalties which took his pointscoring haul beyond 100 points in five games this season.

While the Bulls improve their record to five from five the Hurricanes slump to three from six, having completed their tour of South Africa with three successive defeats.

Today's performance was their best, particularly in the first quarter when they opened up a 12-0 lead courtesy of tries to forwards Karl Lowe and Jeremy Thrush.

However, the inability of their new-look back three to handle the inevitable Bulls' aerial bombardment kept them pinned inside their own half for long periods. Fullback Andre Taylor and winger Alapati Leiua routinely spilled high kicks while the Hurricanes' own general kicking game lacked the accuracy of Steyn and halfback Fourie du Preez.

The Bulls' imposing mauling game dominated the second half, with the Hurricanes pack struggling to adapt to the interpretations of referee Steve Walsh. That resulted in a 60th minute yellow card to flanker Victor Vito for persistent offending and Steyn put his side ahead for the first time soon afterwards.

Victory was a relief for Bulls captain Victor Matfield, playing his 100th Super match for the defending champions.

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper opted to overhaul his side, including the benching of veteran halfback Piri Weepu, and it paid early dividends with some bright attacking work.

After soaking up ample Bulls pressure, the visitors struck back with a slick try to flanker Lowe in the right corner after the ball went through seven sets of hands.

Lock Thrush barrelled over soon afterwards after a quick tap by second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu.

The persistent defence that defied the Bulls for much of the night was cracked on the half hour when fullback Zane Kirchner cut back against a stretched line to score.

Goalkicking dominated the remainder of the match, with Steyn and opposite Willie Ripia trading penalties either side of the 15-10 halftime lead to the Hurricanes.

It was the 15th successive victory for the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, which they now leave for an Australasian tour starting against the Western Force in Perth.

The Hurricanes return home to face the Sharks next weekend.