SUPER 14: The ACT Brumbies piled on 17 unanswered points in the last quarter to defeat the Western Force 25-10 on the opening day of the new Super 14 competition at Perth's Subiaco Oval yesterday.

The Force, one of two new teams in the expanded tournament, threatened a major upset when they led 10-8 midway through the second half after former Brumbies forward Scott Fava crashed over for his team's only try.

But the Brumbies, the only Australian team to win the old Super 12, regained their composure, with Joel Wilson and Matt Giteau crossing for late tries to seal a comfortable victory.

"It wasn't too pretty but we're happy to get the points," Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock said after his side's victory.

"Full credit to the Force, they're going to be a very competitive team this season."

CELTIC LEAGUE: The Celtic League have confirmed the suspended Welsh flanker Dafydd Jones will be free to play for Llanelli against Connacht on February 18th.

Jones was banned for three weeks on January 31th after being sent off for stamping on Matt McCullough during Llanelli's defeat to Ulster.

The Welsh Rugby Union's disciplinary committee stated at the time that Jones would be banned until Tuesday, February 21th.

But the Celtic League clarified the suspension runs from the date of the sending off - clearing Jones to play against Connacht a week before Wales face Ireland at Lansdowne Road in the Six Nations championship.

LOUIS MOOLMAN: Former Springbok lock Louis Moolman died yesterday following a short illness after suffering a stroke, the Blue Bulls rugby union team said in a statement.

The 55-year-old Moolman played 24 tests for the Springboks and 171 times for Northern Transvaal in a career that spanned 13 seasons.

He made his test debut against a World XV in 1977 and was a member of the Springboks' controversial tour to New Zealand in 1981, which was plagued by anti-apartheid demonstrations.

Moolman also played in nine Currie Cup finals. He is survived by his wife, Cora, three daughters and a son.