Roar Guru
The Western Force come off the international break looking to make it six wins in a row at home when they take on the Blues at NIB Stadium. We’ll have live scores and commentaries from 9:45pm AEST.
Both sides need a win to keep their finals hopes alive in a close Super Rugby season.
Steven Luatua will return to the starting XV for the Blues, not having featured in the starting line-up for the Blues since Round 10 against the Hurricanes.
It’s also worth noting that this match will kick off at 11:45pm New Zealand time, which is usually the time most people want to head to bed. It hurt the Chiefs when they played the Force in Perth, with the defending champions starting slow before succumbing to the Force 18-15.
The Force will be looking to start well against the Blues, who are one of the worst starters in Super Rugby. On aggregate, the Blues have won three of the four quarters of matches this season, only having a negative points difference in the opening 20 minutes of games, while the Force’s best time period is just before halftime, the only quarter for which they have a positive differential.
The Force have scored plenty of tries on the counter-attack this year, scoring seven tries from opponents’ errors. This is third to the Sharks and Chiefs who both have nine a piece. Both sides also know how to hurt from their own half, with the Blues having scored 13 tries (first) and Force 11 (third) from their side of halfway.
Keys to victory
If the Force are to win this game they need to keep it tight and locked in, if they allow the Blues too much quick ball and possession they won’t win.
I’ll be looking for the Force to try and turn the ball over in the Blues half and get them on the counter-attack.
The Blues need to get the game open, give the ball to their outside backs. Look for Ihaia West – he could be exactly what the Blues need.
Prediction
Purely going for the home advantage here and the time difference that the Blues are going to suffer from.
Force by 3.