STAT CHAT: Round 10 v Western Force: What the numbers tell us
Perth has never been a simple stop on the Super Rugby map for the Crusaders, and tonight’s Round 10 clash against the Western Force shapes as another stern test on Australian soil.
Every Crusaders loss to the Force has come in Perth, a reminder of just how different this contest can look once you cross the Nullarbor. Despite that, the broader record still favours the red and black.
The Crusaders have won seven of their last eight matches against the Force, including a 55–33 victory the last time the sides met in Round 5 last season. The only loss in that stretch came in the most recent meeting in Australia, a 37–15 defeat at HBF Park in Round 9, 2024.
That result has given the Force something they’ve never had before – a genuine shot at history. Tonight, they’ll be chasing consecutive wins over the Crusaders in Australia for the first time in the competition’s history, building off that same performance in Perth last season.
The numbers underline just how challenging this venue can be. The Crusaders have played the Force eight times in Perth, winning four, drawing one and losing three. A 50% win rate away from home tells you this is rarely straightforward territory.
There’s also a broader narrative in play. The Force have already lost to all four New Zealand franchises this season, and a Crusaders win tonight would complete the sweep. That’s something the Perth side will be determined to avoid in front of their home crowd.
Interestingly, despite Perth’s reputation as a difficult road trip, the Force are still chasing their first home win of the 2026 season, having played just three matches on their own turf so far. That adds another layer of pressure under the lights.
If history is any guide, points should be on the menu. Since 2022, Force games in Perth have averaged 55.1 points per match, a figure that has climbed to 64 points in 2026. Those numbers have been fuelled by some big attacking performances earlier this season, including 56 points conceded against the Brumbies and 42 against the Blues. Even in a more physically even contest against the Chiefs, the Force still conceded 24 points.
The home‑ground effect is clear in the data. Between 2022 and 2026, the Force have scored an average of 26.4 points per game at home, three more than they manage on the road. Defensively, they concede nearly 10 fewer points in Perth compared to away fixtures, a difference that shows up clearly in the results. Their home win rate sits at 41.9% compared to just 18.2% away.
One of the more telling patterns in the Force’s season has been what happens after the break. They’ve led at half‑time in four of their last six matches, yet have only converted two of those into wins. Since the beginning of the 2024 campaign, they’ve lost seven games after leading at the interval, more than any other team in the competition over that period.
For the Crusaders, Australia has been an unforgiving place in recent seasons. They’ve won just two of their last seven Super Rugby Pacific matches across the Tasman, conceding at least 31 points in every one of those games. Their only Australian appearance so far in 2026 ended in a narrow 31–26 loss to the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium, another reminder that nothing comes easily on the road.
The clash of styles tonight adds further intrigue. The Force have built a defensive identity around low tackling, making 32% of their tackles at leg or hip height, the highest rate of any team this season. They’re also highly effective there, with a 90% success rate on tackles at that height.
That approach will be tested by a Crusaders side willing to play with ambition deep in their own territory. The Crusaders are averaging 3.8 offloads per game in their own half this season, the most of any team in Super Rugby Pacific. The Force sit at the other end of that scale, ranked last with 1.5.
There will also be plenty of interest around Zac Lomax if he features prominently tonight. The former State of Origin and Australian rugby league representative arrived in Perth with significant hype after switching codes under an R360 contract.
There’s a personal storyline Crusaders fans will know well too. George Bridge, now wearing Force colours, comes up against his former club for the first time. With 83 Crusaders caps to his name, it’s a familiar face lining up on the other side of the contest.
Tonight also shapes as a fascinating contrast in squad profiles. The Force have the oldest average age in the competition at 26.16, while the Crusaders boast the second‑youngest squad at 24.29.
The Crusaders arrive knowing they’ve had the upper hand in this matchup more often than not, but also aware that Australia has demanded more from them than almost anywhere else. The Force, meanwhile, have proof they can beat the Crusaders at home, and a rare opportunity to turn that belief into something historic.