KEY POINTS:
They were the whipping boys of the Super 14, guaranteed points for most rivals. However, the Force have changed that image considerably, to the discomfort of their fellow Australian sides and the rest of their foes.
It is a transformation based on solid recruiting, an "us against the
rest" attitude, high fitness levels and the coaching demands of former All Black supremo John Mitchell.
That package took the Force towards an upset victory last week against the Crusaders before they were hurt by several defensive decisions in what was a snapshot of the difference between those at the top level and those striving to get there.
The improvements have come - last in 2006, seventh last season - but there are barriers to break for the Force to match their moniker as a consistent threat in this series. One victory against New Zealand sides is a competition bugbear, twin slappings from the Blues is a blot to be rectified tonight at North Harbour Stadium.
That target might have been easier had the Blues not also been stung last weekend when they lost their unbeaten season mark to the Sharks. They played their worst half of rugby to gift the Sharks a hefty and unassailable halftime lead.
Tonight's teams have shown thoughtful approaches to the application of the new laws, they have varied their use of freekick and scrum options, they have looked well-conditioned, organised and seem to have a strong understanding of their strategies.
The uncertainty will be whether they are on the same wavelength as referee Craig Joubert with officials' rulings at the breakdown, still a highly contentious area of the game. What is not in dispute is the calibre of some of the players.
The Blues are starting with 10 players who have worn the All Black jersey including the entire frontrow and backline director Nick Evans who is seeking to improve upon a mixed performance against the Sharks.
The Force are led by the current John Eales medal-winner Nathan Sharpe while a backline headed by the talented Matt Giteau and including Drew Mitchell, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross and Cameron Shepherd looks a match for the Blues' attacking firepower.
So where are the margins; where are the areas of difference?
The Blues will back their scrum against one which has lost loosehead prop Gareth Hardy to injury, and believe that if they can build phase-play around the ball-carrying power of Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell, Nick Williams and Keven Mealamu, they can tire the Force defenders and blunt their attack.
That theme shone through prop John Afoa's assessment of this season and his confidence in the Blues "rock-solid" scrum.
"They [the Force] have a good backline but I think we can really work them in the forwards and suck the energy out of them," he said.
First-phase defence was a concern for Mitchell last week in the 29-24 loss to the Crusaders and while he admired the way his side stirred up the visitors, he also pointed to the result.
"We are evolving but we are paid to win," was his candid summary.
This game starts an important section of the tournament for the Blues where they have four home games in the next five rounds, followed by a bye.
Coach David Nucifora and assistant Greg Cooper will be emphasising that quality sides recover from glitches such as last weekend, while the Force will be after an historic win as another step in their climb towards Super 14 benchmark status.
