LIVE: The Blues and Western Force are evenly poised at 7-all after 14 minutes after seven minutes in Joondalup.

The Force are motivated to bounce back after a promising start against the ACT Brumbies ended in a tough defeat.

Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Experienced lock Darcy Swain comes into the starting side, which sees captain Jeremy Williams shift to blindside flanker.

It’s a similar story for the Blues, who make the trip over the Tasman hungry after a last-minute loss to the Chiefs.

Marcel Renata, Anton Segner and Laghlan McWhannell are among the fresh faces in a new-look forward pack.

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12′: Johnson-Holmes responds

7-all: It’s a prop off as Harry Johnson-Holmes levels the scores.

The Force replicate the Blues efforts, with the prop diving over after several advantages.

8′: Force hunt for response

Blues 7-0: The Force are slowly building momentum as they work inside the Blues 22 under penalty advantage.

Nathan Hastie opts for the quick tap, and the visitors turn him over but ground the ball past the line, ending in a five-metre scrum.

5′: Blues strike first

Blues 7-0: Joshua Fusitu’a strikes first for the Blues as the visitors capitalise on the territory.

The forwards deserved the try after some brutal runs, with the prop there to finish it off

3′: Force survive early pressure

A test for the Western Force as they drop the kickoff and give up an early penalty.

They force the turnover for now but the Blues remain inside their 22, winning a scrum after a knock-on is ruled by the Force first before the Blues.

KICK OFF:

The Blues kick-off into the fierce Fremantle doctor to get the game underway.

The Force start the game with the wind at their back, running right to left on screen

FORCE 7

Tries: Johnson-Holmes

Cons: Donaldson 1/1

BLUES 7

Tries: Fusitu’a

Cons: Perofeta 1/1

PRE-GAME: Welcome

Welcome to Rugby.com.au’s coverage of the Western Force-Blues contest in Joondalup.

It’s a first for Super Rugby as they head to the north of Perth for this clash, with the hill starting to fill with families.

Conditions are way nicer than seven days ago, with the heat of the past couple of weeks nowhere to be seen.

WESTERN FORCE v BLUES TEAMS

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Franco Molina, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams (c), Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Divad Palu, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa’agase, Misinale Epenisa, Lopeti Faifua, Kane Koteka, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale

BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Bradley Slater, Marcel Renata Laghlan McWhannell, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Pita Akhi, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Che Clark, Torian Barnes, Sam Nock, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai

Referee: Damon Murphy

Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey

TMO: James Leckie

HOW TO WATCH WESTERN FORCE v BLUES

The Force’s clash with the Blues will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.

Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:00 pm with kickoff expected at 7:35 pm.