Blues, Reds tussle over 1st place in Super 15

WELLINGTON, New Zealand—The first-place Auckland Blues and second-place Queensland Reds will tussle over top spot in Super 15 rugby in a 13th round which may shorten the list of playoff candidates.

The Reds and Blues meet in Brisbane on Friday the 13th in the biggest match of the season, each trying to consolidate its place at the top of its national conference and to clinch a guaranteed playoff spot.

Below them, an increasingly tight battle for playoffs spots is unfolding. The Cape Town-based Stormers remain atop the South African conference but only four points ahead of the Sharks, who will receive four points for a bye this weekend.

The Stormers must beat the improving Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton to keep the Sharks at bay.