Another long-term back-row injury compounded the Brumbies' crushing defeat to leave them reeling after another fruitless week for Australia's Super Rugby teams.

For a second successive round, no Australian team was able to beat an overseas team.

The Brumbies (seven points) crashed 52-10 to the Crusaders (12) in Nelson and the Melbourne Rebels (six) fell 34-32 to the Sharks (18) at home after leading the table-toppers 25-13 early in the second half.

The winless Western Force (seven) had the chance to end the barren run, but were forced to settle for a 22-22 home draw with the Blues (11) after surrendering a 10-point lead with three minutes to go.

But the under-achieving Brumbies were the major concern from a round in which NSW (14) and Queensland (12) remained atop the Australian conference after each had a bye.

The Brumbies have suffered three straight losses, the last two under new coach Tony Rea, and continue to struggle after sacking Andy Friend following round two.

Skipper Matt Giteau described their performance against the potent Crusaders as lazy and said they needed to show more character.

With Test back-rowers Rocky Elsom and Stephen Hoiles already sidelined, the Brumbies suffered another blow with flanker Mitchell Chapman fracturing a cheekbone.

Brumbies team doctor Angus Bathgate expected Chapman to face between 6-10 weeks on the sidelines.

"We'll know more after he's had his surgery tomorrow," Bathgate said.

Wallabies skipper Elsom and Hoiles were both still considered 5-6 weeks from resuming from their hamstring and achilles injuries respectively.

Fortunately for the Brumbies, rookie back-rowers Colby Faingaa and Ita Vaea have been among their best since being thrown into action.

Bathgate was awaiting news from winger Henry Speight (suspected fractured jaw) who stayed on in New Zealand, while Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore suffered a low-grade ankle sprain he didn't think would be a major issue.

Force coach Richard Graham remained upbeat about his team's prospects even though they have yet to register a win this season as they fly out for their South African leg.

"We've got a lot to look forward to in terms of the quality of rugby we're playing and the personnel that we've got and certainly go to South Africa with confidence," Graham said.

Five-eighth Willie Ripia will train on Monday to determine whether a foot problem will allow him to make the trip, but James O'Connor again made a good fist of the pivot position.

While some of Australia's other goalkickers have struggled at the start of the season, O'Connor landed six of his seven shots against the Sharks.

Newcomers Melbourne, who picked up two bonus points, have lost in-form veteran fullback Mark Gerrard for four weeks with a shoulder injury.

English five-eighth Danny Cipriani scored a brilliant solo try, but also gave one back when he kept a ball in play which was pounced on by Myer Bosman.

"Consistency in performance is the key thing for us, that's what we need to get right," said Melbourne prop Greg Somerville.

"We have to try to not have the fluctuations in performance that we have been seeing."

In other results, the Stormers (16) could thank six Peter Grant penalties for an 18-6 victory over the surprising Highlanders (13) in a clash between two unbeaten teams, the Hurricanes (11) squeezed out a 29-26 win over the Chiefs (six) and the Lions (seven) scored their first victory since May, 2009 with a 25-20 conquest of the Cheetahs (three).

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