Blues

30 - 17

Full Time

Force

Blues vs Force

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

It's all over! The referee has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

Conversion

Hamish Stewart has kicked a conversion.

77'

Try

Zach Kibirige goes on their own for a try.

76'

This is dangerous for the defence as Zach Kibirige bursts through to advance the Western Force attack.

76'

Spellbinding play by Jake Strachan is finished off with a try.

76'

This is dangerous for the defence as Jake Strachan bursts through to advance the Western Force attack.

76'

Western Force decide to make a substitution, with Jake Strachan getting some game time.

71'

Western Force decide to make a substitution, with Rahboni Vosayaco being replaced.

71'

Blues make a substitution with Taine Plumtree coming on.

69'

Blues make a substitution with Hoskins Sotutu coming off.

69'

A gap opened in the defence and Sam Spink took full advantage.

69'

Western Force make a substitution with George Poolman coming on.

66'

Western Force make a substitution with Bayley Kuenzle coming off.

66'

The defensive line has been broken as Mark Telea goes through the gap.

63'

Conversion

The Blues supporters go wild as Stephen Perofeta successfully kicks the conversion.

62'

Try

Blues are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Ricky Riccitelli touching down.

60'

The defensive line has been broken as Harry Plummer goes through the gap.

60'

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa comes on for Western Force.

58'

Gareth Simpson leaves the field.

58'

Siosifa Amone comes on for Western Force.

58'

Santiago Medrano leaves the field.

58'

Bayley Kuenzle has hooked the conversion to the left of the posts.

57'

Try

A penetrating move by Western Force results in a try for Toni Pulu.

56'

Chase Tiatia played a key part in that try.

56'

Taufa Funaki comes on.

52'

Sam Nock comes off.

52'

Sam Darry comes on.

52'

James Tucker comes off.

52'

Ryan McCauley comes on.

50'

Felix Kalapu comes off.

50'

Western Force decide to make a substitution, with Marley Pearce getting some game time.

50'

Western Force decide to make a substitution, with Angus Wagner being replaced.

50'

Western Force decide to make a substitution, with Tom Horton getting some game time.

49'

Western Force decide to make a substitution, with Folau Fainga'a being replaced.

49'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Corey Evans getting some game time.

49'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Bryce Heem being replaced.

49'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Ricky Riccitelli getting some game time.

49'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Kurt Eklund being replaced.

49'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Jordan Lay getting some game time.

49'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Josh Fusitua being replaced.

49'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Marcel Renata getting some game time.

48'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Ofa Tu'ungafasi being replaced.

48'

The right post denies Stephen Perofeta from adding the extras.

48'

Try

Slick passing by Blues leads to a try for Mark Telea.

47'

Spellbinding play by Bryce Heem is finished off with a try.

47'

Bryce Heem makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

46'

Anton Segner makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

44'

Sam Spink makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

43'

Western Force make a substitution with Ollie Callan coming on.

40'

Western Force make a substitution with Michael Wells coming off.

40'

Blues sub Tom Robinson comes onto the field.

40'

Adrian Choat departs for Blues.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Fabulous play by Blues has led to Stephen Perofeta being able to wriggle through a gap.

40'

Western Force go for goal with Bayley Kuenzle taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

35'

Try

A perfectly weighted kick allows Michael Wells to score the try.

34'

Chase Tiatia sets up the try.

34'

Conversion

Stephen Perofeta does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

32'

Try

Silky skills by Blues ends with a try for Ofa Tu'ungafasi.

31'

Spellbinding play by Cameron Suafoa is finished off with a try.

31'

Trouble here as Anton Segner breaches the defence.

31'

Stephen Perofeta curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the left.

28'

Try

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens gathers the kick to score the try for Blues.

28'

Spellbinding play by Stephen Perofeta is finished off with a try.

28'

Penalty Goal

The touch judges raise their flags as Stephen Perofeta kicks the penalty goal.

25'

This is dangerous for the defence as Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens bursts through to advance the Blues attack.

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as Mark Telea bursts through to advance the Blues attack.

20'

A gap opened in the defence and Angus Wagner took full advantage.

12'

A gap opened in the defence and Toni Pulu took full advantage.

11'

A gap opened in the defence and Gareth Simpson took full advantage.

11'

There wasn't enough power on that penalty goal attempt by Bayley Kuenzle as it drops short of the posts.

The defensive line has been broken as Zach Kibirige goes through the gap.

Penalty Goal

Stephen Perofeta has kicked a penalty goal.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Blues v Force 
  
 Round 5 
  
 Sat 25th March 2023, 07:35pm PDT 
  
 Eden Park

Points Flow Chart

Blues win +13

Time in lead

Mins in lead

98%

% Of Game In Lead

16%

Possession Last 10 min

84%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Stewart

77'

30 - 17

Kibirige

76'

30 - 15

Perofeta

30 - 10

62'

Riccitelli

28 - 10

60'

Pulu

56'

23 - 10

Telea

23 - 5

47'

Half Time

Wells

34'

18 - 5

Perofeta

18 - 0

32'

Tu'ungafasi

16 - 0

31'

Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

11 - 0

28'

Perofeta

6 - 0

25'

Perofeta

3 - 0

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.6

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.1

Entries

Attack Profile

Blues

Force

More Less

Defence Profile

Blues

Force

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

66%

55%

3-6 secs

20%

35%

6+ secs

111

Rucks Won

Blues vs Force Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Blues face off against Force in Super Rugby Pacific Round 5 on Sat 25th March 2023 at Eden Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 03:35. In South Africa it’s at 04:35 SAST, 15:35 NZST in New Zealand, 13:35 AEST in Australia and 19:35 EST in the US.

Blues won the last encounter but Blues are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by 7 places in the league table with Force in 3rd and Blues in 10th as such Force are favourites on paper.

Blues vs Force Squads

The official squads for Blues vs Force will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.