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KEY POINTS:
Blues 25
Force 19
The Blues claimed the best possible start to their latest Super 14 campaign with an overseas bonus point victory against the Force but the question will be at what cost?
Skipper Keven Mealamu, halfback Taniela Moa and midfielder Benson Stanley all had to be replaced because of various injuries which must make them doubtful starters for the next South African leg of the team's trip.
Moa was due to return home anyway for the birth of his first child where Joe Rokocoko and Jerome Kaino were also waiting to become first-time fathers.
The birth of the Blues under Pat Lam's coaching started with a win after a shaky start in trying conditions at Subiaco Oval. The Blues had a strong first half wind behind them but mistakes ruined what should have been an advantage.
They escaped one early Force attack when the ball slewed away from Cameron Shepherd's desperate dive over the tryline but shortly after prop AJ Walley muscled his way past several defenders to take advantage of a nifty Matt Giteau bust.
When they eventually created some cohesion on attack, the Blues nudged up near the line before Drew Mitchell intercepted a sloppy pass and hared 85m to further stun the visitors. The Blues had much of the momentum but were being slapped on the scoresheet until No 8 Chris Lowrey, on debut, ran a fine angle to finally reach the line.
The visitors had another chance before the break but Anthony Tuitavake lost the ball as he stretched to reach the line.
The Blues ramped up their intensity after the break and started to dominate most facets of play while the Force's indecision, inattention and sloppy defence cost them a trio of tries to Justin Collins, Anthony Boric and Moa in the first 15 minutes after the break.
Just as quickly as they found some rhythm, fortunes changed for the Blues as they conceded a soft try and lost three players, Mealamu, Stanley and Moa, to a mix of injuries. They held on in a nervous last quarter as several times, the Force threatened to break clear.
Blues 25 (C Lowrey, J Collins, A Boric, T Moa, tries; P Williams pen, J Gopperth con).
Force 19 (AJ Walley, D Mitchell, T Hockings tries; M Giteau 2 con). HT: 8-14.
