The Blues finished an messy second half with a late scoring flurry, with tries to props John Afoa and Tony Woodcock, and hooker Keven Mealamu, to secure a vital bonus point in the final minutes of the game.

Light rain reduced the scoring opportunities in the backs and made handling problematic, while South African referee Jonathan Kaplan found a string of offences in the scrums.

The Force dominated territory for long periods but lost ball in slippery conditions, and immense pressure by the Blues in the scrums and the loose saw the visitors came away as deserved winners.

Australian Super 14 teams remaining games :

Highlanders vs Brumbies, Hurricanes vs Waratahs, Bulls vs Reds

Sportal