LIVE: The Western Force have struck, reducing the Crusaders' lead to 19-7 at half-time in Perth.
The Force return to WA with a point to prove after going down late in Fiji.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
They are boosted by the return of Wallabies Carlo Tizzano, Tom Robertson and Darcy Swain, with Zac Lomax set for his starting debut.
As for the Crusaders, they prepare for their final game away from home before heading to their new home ground, One NZ Stadium.
They have rotated their squad, with number eight Christian Lio-Willie named as skipper.
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Crusaders 19-7: The Force have some late momentum and are hunting for further points.
Ben Donaldson kicks for the line, finding touch 20 metres out, with Carlo Tizzano held up after Zac Lomax does well to win a cross-field kick.
Crusaders 19-7: A beauty of a team try for the Force as Henry Robertson finishes it off.
It starts with a great cutout from Ben Donaldson to Dylan Pietsch, who finds his win partner.
Lomax draws and passes for Mac Grealy, who proceeds to put his scrumhalf over.
Crusaders 19-0: The Force are getting nothing going as they search for their first points.
They finally get field position but lose the lineout after kicking inside the 22.
Crusaders 19-0: The Force are on the ropes trying to survive as the Crusaders keep making big yards with Nick Champion de Crespigny still in the bin.
A desperate intercept from Darcy Swain saves them, with the Wallabies skipper finally returning to the park.
Crusaders 19-0: A ripper of a try and Johnny McNicholl superman dives his way to the line.
It starts with a Macca Springer break down the short side, kicking ahead for his fullback.
The fullback wins the foot race and slams the ball down within an inch of the in-goal line.
Crusaders 14-0: Leicester Fainga'anuku proves way too strong close to the line and is over for a try.
He gets himself one-on-one with Henry Robertson and carries the scrumhalf over the line.
Crusaders 7-0: Referee Reuben Keane has had enough and sends Nick Champion de Crespigny to the bin.
It comes after the repeated infringements, with a nice kick putting the Crusaders on the five metre line as the Force hold them up again, third time already this game!
Crusaders 7-0: The Force keep the Crusaders out for now as they held up Dom Gardiner
They had penalty advantage, with Reuben Keane now giving the hosts the warning that the next goes to the bin.
The Force replicate their efforts on Leicester Fainga'anuku shortly afterwards for the drop out.
Crusaders 7-0: The Crusaders are in full control as they hunt for their second try.
They are camped inside the Force's half, winning another penalty advantage as they kick to the five-metre line, with the hosts stopping the lineout illegally.
A slight delay as assistant referee Nic Berry goes off to fix his comms.
Crusaders 7-0: Outstanding counter-attack from the Crusaders allows hooker George Bell to score the opener.
It's all Taha Kemara, who chips and chases for himself as he's dragged down 15 metres out, with Sevu Reece finding George Bell after the pop pass for the try.
A nice kick and chase from Macca Springer earns the Crusaders a goal-line drop-out.
A little too casual from Henry Robertson, who quickly has to put it down after Springer sprints after it.
Jeremy Williams comes up with the unlikely intercept to halt the attack as it looms towards their 22.
The Crusaders get this game underway as the Force receive the kick off.
It's 'Party in the Park' at HBF Park tonight, with added music and entertainment around the ground.
Tries: H.Robertson
Cons: Donaldson 1/1
Pens:
Tries: Bell, Fainga'anuku, McNicholl
Cons: Kemara 2/3
Pens:
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Western Force - Crusaders match as we soak in a wild Saturday of action.
It's been a cracker so far, from Super Point thrillers to massive upsets, it's been one of the wilder rounds so far.
The Force will be out to continue this, with the return of Carlo Tizzano, among others, massive for their hopes.
A late change for the Crusaders, with Chay Fihaki out, replaced by Sevu Reece in the starting side, with Toby Bell coming onto the bench.
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Misinale Epenisa, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Bayley Kuenzle, George Bridge, Zac Lomax, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Sef Fa’agase, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Hamish Stewart, Kurtley Beale
CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, George Bell, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Johnny Lee, Christian Lio-Willie (c), Louis Chapman, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, Dallas McLeod, Leciester Fainga'anuku, Sevu Reece, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, George Bower, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Ollie Mathis Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Toby Bell
Referee: Reuben Keane
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
The Force's clash with the Crusaders will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 9:50 pm AEST, with kick-off to shortly follow.
