ADELAIDE, March 20 AAP - Unbeaten Australia advanced to the quarter-finals of the Adelaide Sevens and an encounter with Fiji after beating England 17-12 in a spirited final pool match on day two.

Sydney, March 19 NZPA - New Zealand's reward for completing pool play unbeaten at Adelaide's leg of the International Rugby Board's sevens world series is a quarterfinal with recent nemesis Samoa.

Wellington, March 20 NZPA - The Sharks finally broke their duck with a 30-16 Super 14 rugby win over the Highlanders in Dunedin tonight.

Wellington, March 20 NZPA - Result of a Super 14 rugby match at Carisbrook in Dunedin tonight:-

Sharks 30 (Bismarck du Plessis, Stefan Terblanche, Adrian Jacobs tries; Ruan Pienaar 3 pen, 3 con) Highlanders 16 (Ben Smith try; Israel Dagg 3 pen, con).

Halftime: 10-6.

Wellington, March 20 NZPA - The Sharks lead the Highlanders 10-6 at halftime in a Super 14 rugby match at Carisbrook in Dunedin tonight.

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Wellington, March 20 NZPA - It was a long way from the vintage Crusaders but they still had too many weapons for the Lions in a 46-19 Super 14 rugby win in Christchurch today.

Wellington, March 20 NZPA - Wellington did much to advance their Plunket Shield cricket match against Canterbury today.

Wellington, March 20 NZPA - Result of a Super 14 rugby match in Christchurch today:

Crusaders 46 (Sean Maitland 2, Jonathan Poff, Adam Whitelock, Willi Heinz tries; Colin Slade 5 pen, 3 con) Lions 19 (Hannes Franklin try; Burton Francis 3 pen, con, Earl Rose pen). Halftime: 22-16.

New Vodafone Warriors halfback Brett Seymour has been sidelined for at least six weeks after breaking his left thumb in his debut appearance for the club against Gold Coast last Sunday.

The 25-year-old Seymour believes the injury happened early in the second half of the match.

Nelson racing driver John McIntyre has powered his Prime Explosives Ford Falcon to pole position for tomorrow's opening BNT V8s race for the Hydraulink Grand Finals at the Taupo Motorsport Park.