Hurricanes pay the penalty
The Bulls overcame Deon Stegmann's red card to maintain their unbeaten record with a 19-14 win over the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Last Updated: 20/03/09 10:29am
The Bulls maintained their unbeaten Super 14 record with a 19-14 victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Morne Steyn kicked 14 points for the South Africans although his performance was overshadowed by referee Matt Goddard, who dished out five yellow cards and one red.
Goddard sent three to the sin-bin in the first half before Bulls flanker Deon Stegmann received his second yellow for a dangerous tackle on Conrad Smith and was sent off in the 49th minute.
Hurricanes lock Jason Eaton immediately followed to the sin-bin to temporarily reduce the hosts to 13 men as Scott Waldrom was still serving his 10-minute punishment for a ruck infringement in the first minute of the second half.
The Australian official appeared particularly keen to impose his authority at the breakdown resulting in the Hurricanes being penalised 13 times compared with just three for their opponents.
The Bulls used Goddard's interpretations to play a percentage game, kicking for territory and using Steyn's boot to punish the Hurricanes' mistakes inside their own half.
They led 9-7 courtesy of three Steyn penalties in response to a converted try from Hurricanes full back Tamati Ellison in the 16th minute.
Slick move
JP Nel got the Bulls' only try in the 57th minute, the outside centre crossing after the ball had been swung from one flank to the other and then back again in quick succession.
Steyn landed the conversion before Eaton scored a late try to earn the Hurricanes a losing bonus point.
"It was a great win because the boys showed great character as we played the whole game with 14 men," said Bulls captain Fourie du Preez, whose side are at the start of a four-week road trip.
"It was very frustrating with all the penalties and yellow cards but every game is refereed differently and that's how it turned out this time."
