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.
Mark
Guest
Actually it proves we have the strongest conference with no guaranteed 30 points a season because 3 of the teams in the conference are shite like in Australia and SA! If the Aussies and Jappies actually had to play 8 competitive conference games they'd be struggling!
Mark
Guest
Its about bloody time they played like that... Its taken two freaking seasons almost... By far the best performance by the Blues under Kirwan... Lets hope they follow that up with a similar performance... They did fall away a bit after the 2nd half substitutions if you want to be nit picky But we shouldn't get carried away - it was only the Force - they aren't very good...
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
for 10 minutes each game !!
Jo
Guest
James, I don't think Wessels even won in his swearing at members in the crowd in front of children, very unusual in sport from a coach. There had been no comment directed at Wessels all game, You blame the socks, I wonder about the colour of Wessels undies and if he found his dummy??!
James
Guest
I blame the socks. Terrible stuff by the Force. Its like men vs boys...literally
Nek Minnut
Guest
JK must be sacked!!!!
Nek Minnut
Guest
You were also suggesting only 1 NZ team would make it yourself.
atlas
Guest
can't be - I've read all year they have the weakest conference All five NZ sides spread from 3rd to 7th-equal on the table surely proves that
Firstxv
Guest
Well done Blues and quite frankly with a side stacked with those names and particularly recent experience, thats the sort of result to be expected. Its about time. Canes havnt done the Blues many favours for next week but with an improving Blues side vs two losing NZ sides to come, the Blues have their own fate in their hands. Saders are in big trouble in the backs but now have Read and DC back, and are at home. The Chiefs I think we will take at Eden Park.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Brent
RobC
Roar Guru
Good game Blues. Broke the Force spine via the two tries in 10 minutes: -Exposed the backs with the first try, and messed up Force game in the middle -Harassed the Force danger man Mathewson for the second try -Bullied their opponent up front for the rest of the game -They need to fix their scrum. I believe they have the lowest win rate in the comp Force: - Kicked the ball too early without chase - Outpaced and outmuscled in the backs - Set piece pretty good
Paul
Guest
4 NZ teams in the playoffs?
Squirrel
Guest
Skelton is the Folau of the forwards
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full time - Force 14 vs. Blues 40 There was only truly one team in it tonight with the Blues blowing the Force away early with a complete exhibition in attacking rugby. They started with pace and the Force continually gave away possession opting to kick the ball to the Blues, the Blues made them pay by spinning the ball wide and pretty much putting the game to bed in the first 20 minutes. The Force didn't rock up tonight and if they put in a similar performance next week against the Reds they can kiss their finals hopes goodbye. A similar performance from the Blues next week will provide a tantalising contest against the Crusaders as this Super Rugby season nears the finals. That's all from me tonight, thanks for your company. My man of the match for tonight's game is Jerome Kaino, the big Kiwi was simply a behemoth in defence and the Force struggled to get past him. Honourable mention to the Blues back three. :)
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full time - Force 14 vs. Blues 40 Conversion is successful for the Force but it's a comprehensive victory for the Blues who blow the Force away and they snap their terrible road record. They also snap the Force's five game streak at home.
Chivas
Guest
give me a break... good effort by the Force to come back.... after their boat was sunk and the Blues were over 30 pts ahead.... rubbish performance by the Force. On;y one team in this. If the Force finds respectability in that, they are far better than me.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'80 - Force 12 vs. Blues 40 Try Force - Stander The final siren goes, Holmes sneaks through a gap, Stander then pick and goes over for the try. A little bit of respectability for the Force here.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'79 - Force 7 vs. Blues 40 Game on ice but the Force spin it wide, they get the penalty but at the moment this Blues side is looking like the Rock of Gibraltar.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'78 - Force 7 vs. Blues 40 Blues error inside their own 22, Force with a chance to add some respectability to this scoreline. As has been the case all night the scrum needs to be reset. It won't get any easier for the Force who take on the Reds next week who showed on Friday exactly what they could do despite the absence of Will Genia and Quade Cooper.
RobC
Roar Guru
West, hot on attack, multiple phases from his forwards. Kicks straight to Hayward Lucky Tuqiri isnt on field.