Western Force vs Highlanders: Super Rugby Pacific live scores, blog

The Western Force host the Highlanders on Saturday at HBF Park, Perth. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 7:35pm (AEST).

The last two games between these two teams were won by the hosts with narrow margins. The Hurricanes won at home a few weeks ago. The Force won at home by five points in May last year. Both teams are on the lower half of the ladder, with the Force second last at 11th, and the Highlanders 7th place. Only five competition points separate them.

There is a general feeling that the Force, much like many of their Aussie contemporaries are still “work in progress”. Their two wins this season are at home, just like tonight. Their big losses were mainly against Aussie teams. Against Kiwi teams, they fared much better.

The Highlanders have won three of their seven matches. They had big wins against Fiji Drua and Moana Pacifika. They suffered big losses against Kiwi teams. Their only Aussie win was a 8 point win against the Force recently. The Highlanders, just like the Force, are also “work in progress”.

Today is expected to be typical dry Perth autumn weather around 23 degrees. To take advantage of the dry track, the Kiwis will go for speed and stamina. The Aussies will go for power and game control.

The Highlanders, like their opponents today, struggled to score tries, scoring only 29. From this number, 22 of were from three games: against the Force, Drua, and Moana Pacifika. Their two scrum halves are out of commission this week: Aaron Smith and Folau Fakatava, so it might take a while to get the scoring ball rolling.

The Force has some really good point scorers, in particular Zach Kibirige, a try scoring machine. With six tries so far, he sits only one try behind the leader. His point of difference is the amazing and varied ways he scores tries. But today, he is not playing. So that is a big deal.

The forwards battle is where the Highlanders were clearly ahead in their last encounter, enabling their team to score a lot of points early. Their team is better drilled with more consistency. The Force forwards are good quality. But its apparent they have not jelled to deliver their full potential.

Some of the backs from the Force, seem considerably much longer in the tooth. So speed and stamina is an issue.

Prediction
The Highlanders should win this comfortably, even though the Force have had better results on home. To win, the Force finds a way to control the speed of the game, maintain and efficient breakdown, and gain parity in set piece. It is a tough ask though.

Game information
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Odds: Western Force $3.10, Highlanders $1.38 – odds via PlayUp

Teams

Western Force (1-15): Tom Robertson, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Felix Kalapu, Jeremy Williams, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Lelewasa, Bryce Hegarty, Manasa Mataele, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Toni Pulu, Chase Tiatia.

Replacements: Feleti Kaitu’u, Angus Wagner, Siosifa Amone, Ryan McCauley, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Ian Prior, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman.

Highlanders (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Pari Pari Parkinson, Will Tucker, Shannon Frizell, Billy Harmon, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, James Arscott, Mitch Hunt, Jonah Lowe, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Fetuli Paea, Connor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert.

Replacements: Leni Apisai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Sean Withy, Nathan Hastie, Freddie Burns, Josh Timu.