Western Force v Highlanders: Super Rugby Saturday Preview

Round 8 of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season will conclude at HBF Park on Saturday as Western Force hope to get back to winning ways when they host the Highlanders in Perth.

The visitors have certainly had the better of things when it comes to this fixture in recent years but the Force have shown significant signs of improvement this season and a win for the Kiwi outfit in Perth is far from a formality this weekend.

Western Force v Highlanders betting preview

Force can take positives from Reds clash

Being edged out 28-24 by the Reds in the last round in Brisbane, the Force can take a number of positives from that game at Suncorp Stadium.

In times past, the Force would have simply headed to Queensland looking to keep the score down, however, times have changed.

Only a late try from Reds’ scrum-half Tate McDermott snatched what would have been a memorable win away from the Force at Suncorp Stadium, in what was an intriguing contest.

The Force will have to dust themselves off and be ready to go again this weekend, in a match they are the 1.61 favourites to beat the Highlanders.

Highlanders risk being left behind

After a 34-27 defeat at the Brumbies last time out, the Highlanders have now won just two of their opening six games of the season.

Down in eighth place heading into this week’s fixtures, the Highlanders must start picking up wins soon or risk being left behind by the top six.

The Dunedin have a good record in this fixture, winning seven of their last eight games against the Western Force.

Such has been the Force’s rise this season, the Highlanders are the slight underdogs at 2.37 to come away from Perth with the victory.

The Kiwi side will also be looking for revenge this week, after their last trip to HBF Park in 2021 ended in a 30-17 defeat for the visitors.

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Western Force v Highlanders odds

Western Force - 1.61
Tie - 21.00
Highlanders - 2.37

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.