Sharks beat NSW in Super Rugby to extend lead

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A series of surprise results compacted the standings in the Super Rugby tournament after the weekend's seventh round and shone a harsh light on the form of teams in the Australian and New Zealand conferences.

South Africa's Sharks beat the New South Wales Waratahs 32-10 to move six points clear at the top of the table and, in a stroke, dismantled a growing belief the Waratahs are serious title challengers.

While the Waratahs were without fullback Israel Folau, the season's leading try-scorer with eight from four games, their second half capitulation revealed a collection of systemic flaws.

Behind the Sharks, teams ranked from second to 10th place on the championships table are separated by only five points, making the tournament one of the tightest in recent years.