The Western Force travelled to Eden Park looking to snap a 14-year losing streak against the Blues. It didn’t take long for their hopes to blow up in smoke.
Vern Cotter’s men had four tries at half-time and finished their Friday evening’s work with eight in total to win 50-3 to join the Hurricanes on top spot of the Super Rugby standings on 27 points.
Making the victory all the more impressive was that it was without some of their star backs, including halves Finlay Christie and Stephen Perofeta, as well as one of the world’s most dangerous backs in Mark Telea.
But with Harry Plummer steering the ship Caleb Clarke, the Force were barely given a sniff as the Blues’ forward pack did a number on their Australian opponents.
“We knew the contact zone was going to be important to us, we just didn’t win enough of those,” acting Force skipper Nic White said.
“They’re a big side, everyone knows that, we tried to move them around. We probably didn’t do that enough.
“Sometimes you’ve got to fight fire with fire sometimes and we lost most the majority of the upfront battles, so it’s tough on the back foot.”
Taufa Funaki scored a double against the Force in the Blues’ big win at Eden Park on April 05, 2024, in Auckland. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Without Santiago Medrano, who was ruled out with a concussion, the Force copped a battering at the scrum.
The Blues’ set-piece dominance was on display early, as they called for scrum after scrum.
It led to the opening try to Ofa Tu’ungafasi, who scored in the 12th minute after the Blues started to drive the Force backward at the scrum.
In contrast, the Force, knowing their scrum was on roller-skates, opted to take three points in front of the sticks. It was their only points of the evening, as the Blues’ defence stood firm.
“We were in the right areas, it’s obviously difficult when your set-piece isn’t quite functioning and they were able to get territory off the back of that,” White said.
“It came down to a whole lot of power up front. Their big bodies just went straight through us.”
Acting Blues skipper Dalton Papalii was outstanding in the win, as he sent in his second-row teammate Laghlan McWhannell in to score after breaking through the line and offloading.
“I think it was just our consistency,” the openside flanker said was the most pleasing aspect of the win.
“We didn’t want to put a performance that we weren’t happy with ahead of the bye-week, so we put a lot of emphasis on ourselves and accountability throughout the week and I think that showed on the field.”
cs
Roar Guru
I didn't see it, seeing as I was asleep.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Lol that’s harsh
Qualify
Roar Rookie
I just don't understand how any Australian team, in this time and place, given what transpired last year, can think that they can afford to not show intent week in, week out. Surely they must still be hurting and desperate to prove a point. Comfort truly is a killer.
piru
Roar Rookie
Sure
piru
Roar Rookie
I'll tell you what Matt Hodgson told the members . We're not going anywhere We've signed the same agreement as everyone else, the only difference is that we have the most money
Jacko
Roar Rookie
If he bothered to look at Princeps career thet guy has 74 SR appearances and 75 NPC games. No experience??????
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
You mean like happens every single day? Maybe get creative and go harass the reds or brumbies.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
It seemed like the game plan was to kick it back aimlessly every time they got it, which he and his team mates executed quite well.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Go for it
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
What I meant was… Cron… considering he has a thousand players out… who else does he pick? I think he is a good coach.
savant
Roar Rookie
That’s true. I want the Force to succeed badly. We need to keep benefactors like Twiggy in the game. So I’m venting disappointment a bit in the coaching approach.
savant
Roar Rookie
Only underage sides over the years. I love the game though. It’s physical chess and accommodates many different strategies, styles, player types etc. I’m still learning after 50 years!
El Flash
Roar Rookie
Essentially what I am intimating is that Australia cannot afford 5 SR franchises. By amalgamating you are lowering costs but hopefully strenghthening that 4th franchise. You are right in suggesting it would be churlish to hit Twiggy again though. Perhaps sharing the home ground matches may help, but currently the Force are spent & I can see bigger hidings in the offing.
piru
Roar Rookie
He probably didn't anticipate haven't 6 of our first string tight five out before game 1 to be fair. Injuries are ridiculous this year
piru
Roar Rookie
Yes just cut WA off again! That will be a just reward for all those Rugby folk who stayed true through the dark times. How much money will be saved? Well Rebels were 20 mill in debt and you want to kick Twiggy out again, so what does that come to?
piru
Roar Rookie
Yeah I wonder why we can't fill our team with youngsters we've developed in WA over the last ten years, what could have happened to all those talented kids?
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Too easy Piru… Wallaby stacked side, first class training facilities, best home ground… Still can’t win much… next year will be much better … they have bought a hot shot leeeeg bloke who hasn’t played before… plays on the wing… it will be fine then!
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Are you a coach Savant?
savant
Roar Rookie
I think Cron is slow on the uptake. If he knew the pick and go was coming why didn’t he pick 2 open sides in Tizzano and Callan? In the presser after he said we didn’t slow down their ruck speed. Well where was the selection policy to effect that?
Paul D
Roar Rookie
KB will sure up the defence.