Skosan run riot as Lions maul Reds at Ellis Park

The Lions were in the advanced stages of dismantling the Reds when the tourists sealed their own fate as early as the 46th minute of this Super Rugby clash.

Already on the backfoot, ill discipline proved the self inflicted body blow that took the game well out of the Reds' reach when wing Eto Nabuli saw yellow in the 45th minute and Quade Cooper red two minutes later.

The visitors had already lost captain James Slipper to a serious injury in the first half so they were running thin of cool heads and clear thinkers.

The cards of course killed the game as a contest but it is highly debatable whether the Reds had it within them to mount a serious challenge having gone into the break 15 points adrift.

• Speight magic sees Brumbies home over WaratahsWallabies winger Henry Speight scored two second half tries to lead the ACT Brumbies to a 28-12 win over the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday. 

Although their opponents were numerically challenged the Lions' performance should not be undervalued.

The Lions needed to restore morale after their defeat to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires last week and they did so with aplomb securing a bonus point in the process.

Their forwards were mostly on the backfoot last week but yesterday they were very much in the ascendancy against a pack with more than a generous sprinkling of Wallabies.

They predictably sped up play and commanded the width of the field as they sought to burn visiting lungs.

• Hurricanes powerful second half sinks HighlandersThe Wellington Hurricanes returned to winning form in emphatic style when they scored seven tries to two to down the Otago Highlanders 41-15 in a round four Super Rugby match in Wellington on Saturday. 

They methodically and systematically dismantled the Reds and while the tourists should endeavour when they had possession, they never really challenged the Lions.

Having conceded 10 tries in their first three matches, the Lions would have been satisfied with their defensive effort yesterday. They did however concede two tries when the Reds operated with 14 players.

It was in attack however where the Lions were different class. With so much possession at their disposal the backs feasted, none more so than Courtnall Skosan who helped himself to four tries, most scored as the Lions exploited by the numerical advantage.

• Bulls far from convincing but snatch vital first win of the season It was far from impressive but the Bulls will embark on their New Zealand leg of this Super Rugby campaign on the back of a morale boosting win after they beat the Sunwolves 34-21 at Loftus on Friday night. 

Elton Jantjies and Rohan Janse an Rensburg combined well in setting up the opening try for Skosan.

A flat Jantjies pass meant Janse van Rensburg could bust through the gainline before a deft offload to his left put Skosan through.

It was the set the pattern for the rest of the match.

The Lions' win was however tempered with what appeared to be serious injuries to flank Ruan Ackermann and replacement hooker Johannes Jonker.

Scorers

Lions (44)

Tries: Courtnall Skosan (4), Jaco Kriel, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Malcolm Marx.

• Chiefs survive Rebels scare in MelbourneThe Waikato Chiefs survived a huge scare from the lowly Melbourne Rebels to win their Super Rugby clash 27-14 in Melbourne on Friday and stay top of the ladder after four rounds. 

Conversions: Elton Jantjies (2), Andries Coetzee.

Penalty: Jantjies.

Reds (14)

Tries: Duncan Paia'aua, Taniela Tupou.

Conversions: James McIntyre (2).

  - TMG Digital/TMG Sport