Corey Evans during the Blues v Force. Photo: Blake Armstrong/ActionPress
The Blues have kept their season alive with a 40-19 win over the Force at Eden Park. The defending champions need to win their remaining games in the regular season to make the play-offs, and while this one wasn't exactly a vintage performance, it was all they needed.
The result was sealed more or less when Coles Forbes crossed for his second try on the hour mark, however the Blues then had the assignment of preserving a precious bonus point - something they almost blew after the hooter sounded and they handed the ball back to the Force. However, the visitors couldn't make it count.
The first half struggled to get going, with both sides seemingly unsure of just what to do with the ball once they got it. However, after 15 minutes the Blues were handed a scrum on the Force five metre line and they made it count with a try to Marcel Renata. Although the prop did very well to get out of the scrum and get his hands on the ball, it's a mystery as to why the TMO didn't take a closer look because Renata clearly benefitted from a couple of very clear obstructions.
Cole Forbes then scored in much less controversial fashion after initially starting an attack that got the Blues into the Force 22, then popping back up in midfield to dive over under the posts.
The Force didn't lie down though, frustrating the Blues into playing a lot of the game between the 22s and eventually winning an attacking lineout of their own. This year's leading try scorer Carlo Tizzano didn't need any more invitation, wrestling his way over to make it 12-7 at the break.
AJ Lam was subbed on at halftime and immediately made an impact, scoring with his first touch to push the Blues' lead out. But just as things were looking to start getting comfortable, the Force hit back with the try of the match to Kurtley Beale.
The former Wallaby marked his return from injury after a lovely cross kick was taken by Mac Grealy, with the winger flicking a no look pass to Beale running a perfect line back the other way.
The Blues didn't let the Force press home the momentum though, going back to their power game and doing a very good job of keeping the ball in the Force's 22. Lachlan McWhannell scored before Forbes crossed for his second, after that it was just a matter of the clock ticking down.
Nic Dolly scored for the Force somehow under a massive pile of bodies to draw the Force back within two tries, but Josh Beehre put the exclamation point on with six minutes to play.
The Blues now head to Suva for another must-win clash next weekend against the Drua. The Force make the long journey home to Perth where they face the Brumbies.
Read how the game unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
