RECAP: The Western Force have gotten on the board in 2026, taking a 35-19 win over Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe.
It ends an eight game losing streak and sees them rebound after two straight losses to start the year.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
They overcame early chaos, forced to start without Ben Donaldson after he was forced to undergo a HIA.
But the playmaker returned early to build a commanding lead, scoring four unanswered tries, largely through their rolling maul.
Moana Pasifika denied them a bonus point with two late tries but it was a much-needed win for Simon Cron's men.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE
Force 31-19: Allen Craig has denied the Force the bonus point with a last minute try.
The lock dives over in the corner after relentless pressure close to the line.
Force 35-14: Melani Matavao sparks the crowd with a consolation try off the bench.
The replacement half goes himself and palms off his opposite man to score under the posts.
Force 35-7: The lack of execution for the hosts is killing them.
With the game out of reach, Moana Pasifika again cough the ball up right at the line.
Force 35-7: The Force's pack delivers again as Leonel Oviedo gets his first try for his new side.
The Argentinian hooker is the latest to cross at the back of their all-powerful rolling maul to further the lead.
Force 28-7: The Force are still on the attack and hunting for points.
Moana drop a booming kick that gives the Force possession 30 metres out and while they cough it up shortly afterwards, they win a big tighthead scrum penalty.
Force 28-7: Moana Pasifika need points and they find themselves inside the Force's 22.
But their eagerness is their downfall, with the hosts pinged for not releashing and going on the ground three metres out.
Force 28-7: Carlo Tizzano gets his third try of the year and the Force make good use of their field position.
Moana Pasifika try to pinch the lineout but it hits its man, allowing Tizzano to crash over at the back of the rolling maul
Force 21-7: The Force are hunting for what could be the match sealer as they keep the pressure on.
Replacement prop Misinale Epenisa is held up under penalty advantage, with the Force again opting for the lineout.
Another penalty advantage for the visitors, with Moana Pasifika now under a warning for a yellow card.
Force 21-7: Moana Pasifika just can't make their attack sing.
They are hunting for points with no luck as they watch the ball bounce into touch inside their half.
Force 21-7: The Force have the hosts in trouble in attack, just not getting their timing right.
It starts with a charge down that is brought back for offside, while a thumping tackle collects a Force hand and leads to a midfield scrum.
Another promising chance for a ruck turnover ends in a scrum.
Force 21-7: The Force will get their own chance to extend their lead after Patrick Pellegrini can't collect Max Grealy's grubber, watching the ball trickle into touch on the 22.
Moana Pasifika want a penalty (or even more) against Vaolini Ekuasi for a high cleanout but his body height is very low and referee Paul Williams brushes them away.
Both teams drop the ball, ending with a Moana Pasifika pilfer penalty.
Force 21-7: Moana Pasifika are eager to strike first in the second half, winning a vital scrum penalty that allows them inside the Force's 22.
But again, the hosts are their worst enemy with the lineout not straight, allowing Ben Donaldson to clear and win a big chunk of territory.
Force 21-7: George Bridge is playing with a point to prove after his mistake and he crosses for a crucial try.
The Force work to the goal-line and the centre calls for the ball, cutting back inside for his first try in the gold.
Force 14-7: The Force's kick chase is a real notable improvement from last week as they exploit the space in-behind.
It allows them to respond following a Moana mistake and win the goal-line dropout, converting this into a penalty on the 22.
Force 14-7: Finally, the Force get their deserved try and Darcy Swain is the man.
George Bridge nearly makes up for his brain explosion, pulled down a metre out before the lock dives over.
7-all: George Bridge scores a crucial try for the Force as he shows his class.
Bridge collects the bounce pass from Donaldson and straightens the attack to beat three, just getting the ball down in time.
Or is it? The TMO believe Bridge could've dropped it being way too casual getting the ball down and he does.
A deadset coach killer from a Test player, bit the Force will still get their chance after the penalty advantage.
7-all: The Western Force are all over the hosts as they hunt for crucial points.
Nathan Hastie does well to win the offside penalty and they'll launch from a five metre maul.
7-all: A booming kick from Hamish Stewart delivers an unreal 50-22 for the Force.
There's concern for Nic Dolly on his return from a knee injury, clutching at it again as he looks to power through.
The Force wins the penalty and opts for the quick tap, almost instantly isolated for the relieving penalty.
7-all: A knock-on at scrum time allows the chance for the Western Force to instantly put on pressure.
The Force win the initial scrum penalty and go back to the well, only to find it barren as the hosts win the next scrum penalty.
7-all: Moana Pasifika finally find their way over as they capitalise on a rolling maul that whilst starts slow, gets a massive head of steam.
Millennium Sanerivi breaks away and beats a couple for a nicely worked try.
Force 7-0: Moana Pasifika are starting to find space in the backline as they create plenty of chances.
They'll get the opportunity to put pressure on as they enter the Force's half with another penalty advantage.
Force 7-0: Darby Lancaster is in red-hot form to start this game, breaking the line and putting the Force on the attack.
Moana Pasifika instantly respond after Jeremy Williams drops the ball and they somehow end up in the 22 before they are pinged for holding on
Force 7-0: Moana Pasifika instantly get the chance to respond after they win a penalty from the kick-off.
They get the Force to drive early at maul time and will work under penalty advantage, but drop it from the resulting lineout.
Force 7-0: Darby Lancaster's first touch in gold is a beauty as he dives over the line.
We mentioned the surface earlier and geez does it deliver, with a wicked bounce from Ben Donaldson's kick landing in his hands, allowing him to sprint away for the opener.
So Ben Donaldson is back on.
The explanation is that Donaldson's mouthguard pinged, forcing him to do the HIA, which he passed.
Instead of having to wait on the bench, he was cleared to return straight away and replaces Max Burey.
Sure.
The Western Force earn an early penalty and hunt for the line instead of the points.
However, they find no way through Moana Pasifika's pack.
Huge news coming with Ben Donaldson, who is nowhere to be seen as he goes for an HIA.
Max Burey will start and kick off, with the replacement on the bench unsure.
UPDATE: Donaldson has passed the HIA and will come off the bench, after initial thoughts was he was ruled out
Crazy scenes.
One thing to watch for is the surface, with word coming from the commentary to potentially expect some wicked bounces from the rock hard, pathcy surface
Tries: Lancaster, Swain, Bridge, Tizzano, Oviedo
Cons: Donaldson 5/5
Tries: Sanerivi, Matavao, Craig
Cons: Pellegrini 1/1, Garden-Bachop 1/2
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Western Force's crucial away trip to Pukehoke against Moana Pasifika.
Conditions in New Zealand look unreal for running Rugby, with both teams desperate for victory.
A bunch of changes for Moana Pasifika, with Tito Tuipulotu and Glen Vaihu both out. Abraham Pole and Denzel Samoa move to the starting sides, Tevita Ofa shifts to fullback and Malakai Hala-Ngatai is in line for his debut on the bench.
The lone change for the Western Force: Will Harris is in for Kane Koteka
Winger Darby Lancaster is one to watch, with coach Simon Cron gushing about his talents during his pre-game press conference.
MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Ngani Laumape, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Denzel Samoa, Tevita Ofa
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Lolani Faleiva, Ola Tauelangi, Tupou Afungia, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Nic Dolly, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Franco Molina, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams (c), Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Darby Lancaster, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Agustin Moyano, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Michael Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Moana Pasifika's clash with the Western Force will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 4:30 pm with kickoff expected at 5:05 pm.
