Super Rugby 2016: Western Force seek first Perth win over Blues

The Western Force have the chance to erase a stubborn black mark on their playing record when they meet the Blues tonight.

Western Force centre Ben Tapuai returns after a two-week absence. Picture: Daniel Wilkins.

The Western Force can erase a stubborn black mark on their playing record when they meet the Blues at nib Stadium tonight. They’ve beaten every other Super Rugby side that’s come to Perth but never the Auckland team.

They have drawn with them, 22-22 in 2011, and have even ­beaten them on their second home ground, North Harbour Stadium, but the closest they have come to a Perth win was a six-point loss in 2009.

The Force have won only twice this season but one of those victories came in their last match, against the Sunwolves in Tokyo, and they head into this clash with their spirits rejuvenated.

“We went over and beat the Sunwolves … a week earlier they beat the Jaguares and a week later they drew with the Stormers,” said coach Michael Foley. “Not only did we get a good result but we got it playing the way we want to play.”

The only change they have made to that side is the return of Ben Tapuai at outside centre after a two-week break, in place of Junior Rasolea.

But there is significant movement on the bench, where Wallabies loosehead prop Pek Cowan has recovered from a broken arm and Luke Burton makes his first appearance of the season.

From a Wallabies selection viewpoint, this will be a key match for Dane Haylett-Petty, especially following the news that Toulon have sent Drew Mitchell to have an operation on his groin.