Blues and Reds play out a Super Rugby thriller as similarities stand out

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A last-minute try which snatched a win for the Auckland-based Blues over the Queensland Reds on Saturday ended an epic contest between two of the most enigmatic teams in Super Rugby.

The Blues are on a roll this season, unbeaten in seven matches since their third round loss to the Wellington-based Hurricanes. They are second on the table behind the Hurricanes with eight wins from nine matches.

The Reds’ loss on Saturday leaves them in sixth place and with a 4-5 record after nine games. They look likely to reach the playoffs, though their run home includes difficult matches against the improving Crusaders, the Fijian Drua, the Melbourne Rebels and their traditional rivals the New South Wales Waratahs.

Saturday’s match comes close to beating the round eight match between the Waratahs and Crusaders as the best of the season. It was highlighted by a superb hat-trick to Reds left wing Tim “Junkyard Dog” Ryan. His third try also was close to a season best as he hurdled a prone Blues defender, stepped off his right foot into space, then off his left foot to elude the last of the Blues’ cover defense.

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