The Western Force and the Highlanders come head-to-head for Round 5 of Super Rugby tonight at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand. We’ll have live scores from 4.30pm AEST.
The Force unexpectedly gave the Melbourne Rebels a thumping last weekend 32-7 and will be looking to convert their win into a winning streak after losing out in their first two rounds.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders are itching to get back on the paddock after winning their first game in Round 2 and losing out to the Chiefs by just two points in Round 3.
The Western Force’s Matt Hodgson will be in the zone, with tonight’s game his 101st Super Rugby match for the Force.
There’s one setback for the Highlanders who this week received the news winger Buxton Popoalii has retired, after recently having surgery to fix a heart valve, though this should provide motivation for success.
The Highlanders’ Brad Thorn is also out and is at least another week away from play, after injuring some cartilage in the team’s opening game late last month.
History could be made tonight if the Highlanders win, having never defeated the Western Force.
The last time these two teams faced off was May 2013, when the Force prevailed 19-18.
Will the Highlanders finally win against the Force?
Join us this afternoon at 4.30pm AEST on The Roar for live scores and to have your say and debate the game on our live blog.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Terrible effort from the Highlanders. The heart they showed the previous two weeks was missing. HUGE question marks now need to be asked about Nasi Manu and Ben Smith as captains, that was absolutely pathetic captaincy in the last 10 minutes, unbelievable to watch how disinterested the Highlanders looked at the end. Nasi Manu and Ben Smith lead by actions they are not vocal players on the paddock. This situation would not have happened had A Smith been still on, Tanaka is a wonderful player but his lack of bark cost the Highlanders imo, A Smith would have been aware of the situation and made it clear to everyone. If you can't win at home when you have had more then a fair share of home advantage then it's a lost cause..
Kipper
Guest
nice win Brendon - well done
Hammer
Guest
Can you shut up! The tag of 'Guru' has got to your head.
peter k
Guest
Highlanders confirmed as worlds dumbest team ! Unable to recognize the game situation and act with pace with last 8 minutes and a two man advantage
Short-Blind
Guest
Agree that was open bias by Jackson. The penalty against the force at the 70 minute mark for taking a man out off the ball I nearly chocked. Kiwi teams are the devils at that dark art & the low landers had been doing it all night. 30 sec later on attack the Otago loosies does exactly the same thing in front of Jackson....who ignores it. The Karma fairies brought justice in the end. Hats off to the force and Foley. I had written them off but they art showing great guts and improvements across the park. Jackson needs to look in the mirror and understand he is not a player anymore thus has to let his (naturally biased kiwi) emotions not subjectively influenc his actions.
Billy Bob
Guest
Agreed Hammer. I'm assuming you mean the way Jackson excitedly searched for excuses to help the highlanders over the line. If he was a racehorse he'd be swabbed. A body language expert would cut him to shreds. The elephant in the room is that referees are human. They have prejudices just like very other human. But when they indulge them it affects the results of otherwise fair contests. There needs to be a better system of scrutiny on referees. What a naked display of partisanship. Sorry fellas can't call me a 'sore Aussie loser'today. Work your way around that one.
Good on you mate, even the bottom teams deserve respect. ;)
Magic Sponge
Guest
R.E.S.P.E.C.T . The force showed ticker I for one will not bag them again
mikeylives
Guest
Thought the force did not get the rub of the green from Jackson - so well done boys - top effort.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
Gusty effort by the Force but awful last 9 minutes by the Highlanders. Too much wasted time and little idea of how to develop an overlap close to the posts.
Paul
Guest
congrats Highlanders on thier bonus point
Rugby stu
Guest
Not whingeing, blatant obstruction is blatant obstruction. If I wanted to watch American football I would.
Common Sense from the west
Guest
I Guess it would be in a similar way to the last 5 games they Lost ;)
Se... Ri... Ous. Boet.
Oh, OK, sorry. :(
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
You have a great win, and you celebrate by focusing on the waratahs.
felix
Guest
Haaha very funy! :-)
felix
Guest
Haaha very funy!
I take it you're an australian rigby supporter?
El Gamba
Roar Guru
True, poor decision making however there wasn't much left in the tank for the landers. Thee was 70 mins of pretty hard work prior to that and the force did not give an inch in the last ten.