Brumbies slip behind Waratahs in Aussie conference after heavy defeat to Bulls at Loftus Versfeld

THE Bulls took a four-try bonus point in a powerful 44-23 win over the Brumbies to keep the Aussies winless on their two-game South Africa trip.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 23: Henry Speight of the Brumbies during the Super Rugby match between Vodacom Bulls and Brumbies at Loftus Versfeld on May 23, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

THE Bulls took a four-try bonus point in a powerful 44-23 win over the Brumbies in their Super Rugby clash to keep the Aussie tourists winless on their two-game trip to South Africa.

Flanker Jono Ross’s second try in the 75th minute secured the extra point for the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld and put them back in the playoff places for the time being.

Bulls star Grant Hattingh takes on the Brumbies defence.

The Brumbies surrendered top spot in the Australian conference to the Waratahs, who hammered Melbourne Rebels 41-19 a couple of hours earlier at AAMI Park.

Jan Serfontein scored the Bulls' opening try in the ninth minute after a break in midfield by veteran lock Victor Matfield.

Ross went over for his first in the 24th, with Springboks center Serfontein providing a flick pass to send him away.

Wing Bjorn Basson sped up-field for an intercept try in the 44th for a 31-6 lead for the home team.

The visitors had second-half tries by wing Henry Speight, captain Ben Mowen and center Tevita Kuridrani, who scored two minutes from the end to raise Brumbies hopes of claiming a four-try bonus point of their own.

It didn't happen. Ross had already made certain of a maximum haul for the Bulls when he drove over from the back of a rolling maul five minutes from time.

Flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter kicked 22 points for the Bulls and played a major part in ensuring the Brumbies were never in position to repeat their victory at Loftus in last season's semifinals.

The Brumbies return home 0-2 in South Africa after losing to the Cheetahs last weekend and now out of the automatic semifinal places.

Originally published as Brumbies slip behind Waratahs in Aussie conference after heavy defeat to Bulls at Loftus Versfeld