Blues vs Western Force Predictions - Force can get close at Eden Park

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 01 May 2025

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Simon Lewis 01 May 2025

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Blues have a strong home record, winning the last two matches at Eden Park.
Western Force's away form is a concern, with a poor track record in New Zealand.
Prediction: Blues to win by less than 14.5 points.

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

Blues vs Western Force Predictions

The Blues are struggling this season and have lost their last two games; however, they’ve won their last two at Eden Park. Considering the Force’s poor away record, I am backing the Blues to win, but by less than 14.5 points.

Blues vs Western Force Predictions
Head to Head
Blues Form
Blues Injuries & Team News
Western Force Form
Western Force Injuries & 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

These two sides have met 12 times in the past, with the Blues winning 11 along with a single Force win back in 2008.

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 Injuries & 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 Injuries & 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

Verdict

Blues v Western Force

Western Force, while unlikely to win, are backed to get within 14.5 points.

Western Force +14.5

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