The Western Force are out of Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific's top six after falling to reigning champions, the Blues, 40-19 in Auckland last night.
The Force trailed just 12-7 at halftime but couldn't keep up with Blues maestro Beauden Barrett, who orchestrated a second-half resurgence to secure a bonus-point victory that launched the 2024 winners into sixth.
Barrett laid on three try assists and two line-break assists in a vintage performance, while Blues flyer Cole Forbes scored two tries and had an impressive performance on the right wing.
However, there were plenty of green shoots for the Force, with the returning Kurtley Beale crossing for a try and combining strongly with fellow Wallaby Harry Potter.
In other matches, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua face the Reds at 2.05pm today, Hurricanes will take on the Chiefs at 7.05pm tonight, the Brumbies will face the Waratahs at 9.35 tonight, and the Highlanders will meet Moana Pasifika at 3.35pm tomorrow.
[Source: Rugby.com.au]
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