Out of the last five Super Rugby matches between the Western Force and the
Auckland Blues the Blues have won three, drawn one and lost one.
Overall the Force have played the Blues seven times since the Force joined
Super Rugby in 2006.
In those seven matches the Force have won one, drawn one and lost five Super
Rugby matches. That gives them a record of winning 14% of their matches against
the Blues.
The average score when the Force play the Blues across all venues is : Western
Force 15 Blues 29.
This weekend the match will be played in Perth Western Australia which is home
for the Western Force and where the teams have met three times so far.
In those three matches the Force have only managed one draw and they have lost
two matches. That means that the Blues have a record of winning 67% of their
matches in Perth.
The average score when the Force host the Blues in Perth is: Western Force
16 Blues 27.
Both teams are outside of the wild card qualification zone but both are still
in contention for the play off. However they both need to keep winning or else
they will be out.
The Force have played six matches at home so far in 2014 and they have won
five and lost one. That gives them a record of wining 83% of their home matches.
The Blues on the other hand have played six matches away from home and they
have lost all six. In fact the Blues have not won away from home since February
last year.
In terms of selection the Blues have named a strong team that includes all
of their All Blacks and Steven Luatua who returns to the starting line up for
the first time since Round 10.
Charlie Faumuina had a stomach bug at the start of the week and has been bracketed
at tighthead prop with Angus Ta’avao, with a decision on his availability expected
to be made later.
The Force have named a strong team as well and they have been bolstered by
the return form injury of Hugh McMeniman (collarbone), Ben McCalman (groin),
Alby Mathewson (ankle), Marcel Brache (ankle), Tetera Faulkner (back) and Solomoni
Rasolea (wrist).
Former Blues No.9 Alby Mathewson has been selected at scrumhalf in his first
match against the Blues since leaving the Auckland club to join the Force for
the 2013 Super Rugby season.
The Force have been a revelation this season and have punched above their weight
all season long. They have been strong at home and even though the match is
a must win match they will have the comfort of playing at home.
The Bookies
have given the Blues a 2 point start for this Match – with an
offer of a FREE $250.00 Bet. The Force should be able to win
this and keep their play off hopes alive for another week at least.
The Force should win by four.
This Match will be shown on TV in NZ, Aus, SA and in
the UK on Sky Sports 1/HD on the Red Button.
Average score: Western Force 15 Blues 29
Last five results
07 Jul 2012 Force v Blues 9-32 Auckland
12 Mar 2011 Force v Blues 22-22 Perth
17 Apr 2010 Force v Blues 17-38 Auckland
13 Feb 2009 Force v Blues 19-25 Perth
15 Mar 2008 Force v Blues 27-17 North Harbour
Force overall record against the Blues
Played 7,Wins 1 ,Losses 5 ,Draws 1
Match No. 106: Force v Blues
Date :Saturday 28 June
Venue : nib Stadium
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann
Assistant Ref 1: James Leckie
Assistant Ref 2: Michael Hogan
TMO: Steve Leszczynski
Teams
Western Force
1. Pek Cowan,2. Nathan Charles,3. Kieran Longbottom,4. Sam Wykes,5. Adam Coleman,6.
Hugh McMeniman,7. Matt Hodgson (c),8. Ben McCalman,9. Alby Mathewson,10. Sias
Ebersohn,11. Nick Cummins ,12. Chris Tuatara-Morrison,13. Marcel Brache,14.
Dane Haylett-Petty,15. Jayden Hayward
Replacements : 16. Heath Tessmann,17. Tetera Faulkner ,18. Oliver Hoskins,19.
Wilhelm Steenkamp,20. Brynard Stander,21. Ian Prior,22. Zack Holmes ,23. Solomoni
Rasolea
Blues
15. Lolagi Visinia,14. Frank Halai,13. Pita Ahki,12. Ma’a Nonu,11. George Moala,10.
Ihaia West,9. Bryn Hall,8. Jerome Kaino,7. Luke Braid (C),6. Steven Luatua,5.
Patrick Tuipulotu,4. Tom Donnelly,3. Charlie Faumuina / Angus Ta’avao,2. Keven
Mealamu,1. Tony Woodcock
Replacements : 16. James Parsons,17. Angus Ta’avao / Tom McCartney,18. Ofa
Tu’ungafasi,19. Hayden Triggs,20. Peter Saili,21. Piri Weepu,22. Francis Saili,23.
Tevita Li