Blues v Force result: Aucklanders come from behind to claim first win of 2026

- The Blues claimed their first win of the season, defeating the Western Force 42-32 in Perth

- Vern Cotter’s side trailed at halftime, but rallied in the second spell

- The Blues jump to fourth on the Super Rugby table

The Blues travel to Perth to take on the Force and look to bounce back from an opening round home defeat.

Captain Dalton Papali’i again leads the side as the Blues look to build momentum in their first away fixture of 2026 following a narrow defeat to the Chiefs last weekend.There are three changes in the forwards, with Marcel Renata coming into the starting side at prop while Ofa Tu’ungafasi adds impact off the bench.

In the second row, Laghlan McWhannell lines up alongside Josh Beehre with experienced lock Sam Darry unavailable following a head knock against the Chiefs. Anton Segner returns to the starting side at blindside flanker, while Torian Barnes moves to the bench following his Blues debut. The starting backline remains unchanged.