Blues vs Western Force Tips - Force to cover with a start in Super Rugby

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: Thu 01 May 2025 12:09

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Ralph Staniforth 01 May 2025

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Blues have won 11 of 12 meetings with Western Force.
Western Force has a strong 6th place standing but struggles away.
Blues' recent performance suggests they might not cover a 14.5-point handicap.

Expired

Blues have won their last 9 matches against the Western Force.

Blues vs Western Force Tips

The Blues form has been quite poor of late despite winning their last two at home. They should have the quality to get the win, but I don't think they can cover the 14.5 handicap.

Blues vs Western Force Tips
Head to Head
Blues Form
Blues Team News
Western Force Form
Western Force Team News

Blues have won their last 9 matches against the Western Force.
Blues have won their last 2 home matches.
Western Force have lost their last 4 away matches.
Western Force have conceded 50+ points in 2 of their last 3 away matches.
Western Force have lost 22 of their last 23 matches in New Zealand.

Head to Head

In the 12 matches between these two sides, the Blues have won 11.

Blues Form

The Blues are currently sitting outside the playoff places in ninth, three points off eighth place. They have won three and lost seven of their 10 matches do date.

With just four matches of the regular season remaining, the Blues can ill afford to slip up at home this weekend. Their chances of defending their 2024 title already looks slim given their form in 2025.

Last week the Blues lost 35-21 at the Reds in another putrid display by the defending champions. The week before, they lost 25-22 to the Crusaders after winning two successive games against the Hurricanes and Moana.

Blues Team News

15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Cole Forbes, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Xavi Taele, 11 AJ Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Taufa Funaki, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Lachlan McWhannell, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a.

Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Cam Christie, 21 Adrian Choat, 22 Sam Nock, 23 Corey Evans

Western Force Form

The Western Force are placed sixth after 10 matches, much higher than was expected at the start of the season. However, they need their final four games to go well to secure that top eight finish.

The issue for the Perth side has been their away form, at home they have been very strong. Last week, the Force suffered a 56-22 loss at the Chiefs. The week prior they managed a 17-17 draw at home against the Hurricanes.

In two of their last three away fixtures, the Force have conceded 50+ points, both against New Zealand opposition.

Western Force Team News

15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Bayley Kuenzle, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Mac Grealy, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Henry Robertson, 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Nic Dolly, 1 Ryan Coxon

Replacements: 16 Albert Alcock, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Josh Smith, 19 Josh Thompson, 20 Will Harris, 21 Nic White, 22 Max Burey, 23 George Poolman