BLUES BOUNCE BACK TO DEFEAT FORCE
The Blues bounced back in style on Saturday night, outlasting the Western Force 42-32 in a high-scoring contest in Perth to get their season up and running.
After last week’s narrow loss to the Chiefs, the response was immediate.
The team came out with intent, setting up camp inside the Force 22 early. The forward pack rolled up their sleeves and went to work, with Joshua Fusitu’a reaping the rewards as he powered over for the opener and a 7-0 lead.
The Force hit back in similar fashion to level things up, but the Blues stayed composed.
A yellow card to the home side opened the door. Sustained pressure through the middle created space out wide, and Stephen Perofeta had a simple finish down the left edge to restore the advantage.
Momentum continued to swing, with the Force edging ahead 17-14 just before the break after flanker Carlo Tizzano crossed, but the Blues came out firing in the second spell with the wind at their backs.
A slick left-edge movement saw Finlay Christie link with Caleb Clarke, who found Dalton Papali’i in space. His offload to Zarn Sullivan was perfectly timed, and the fullback did the rest to reclaim the lead.
From there, the Blues’ power game took over. AJ Lam’s clever grubber pinned the Force deep before Torian Barnes burrowed over for his first Super Rugby try. Soon after, a clinical lineout drive and quick hands put Cole Forbes over in the corner to stretch the margin.
The Force refused to fade, but every time they threatened, the Blues responded. Josh Beehre added his name to the scoresheet after relentless forward pressure close to the line, sealing the result despite a late consolation try.
Sullivan was electric with 82 running metres, while Beehre impressed with 16 tackles and a crucial turnover.
The Blues continue their Australian tour this week when they travel to Canberra to take on the red hot Brumbies on Saturday night.
Blues 42 (Tries: Fusitu'a, Perofeta, Sullivan, Barnes, Forbes, Beehre; Cons: Perofeta 6)
Force 32 (Tries: Johnson-Holmes, Tizzano, Kuenzle, Donaldson; Cons: Donaldson 3; Pens: Donaldson 2)
Referee: Damon Murphy