The Western Force rediscovered their attacking flair with an impressive 41-27 Super 14 victory over the Highlanders in Queenstown on Saturday.

The Force had scored just seven tries in their opening seven games of the season but broke the shackles with six tries against the Highlanders to secure the bonus-point win.

Returning winger Cameron Shepherd and Wallabies centre Ryan Cross each scored a brace while fullback James O'Connor and substitute halfback Justin Turner added the others.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing for the Force, who trailed 22-20 after 65 minutes before unleashing a three-try blitz in the final 15 minutes to seal the points.

"It's good to be back playing attacking football and everyone contributing," Force coach John Mitchell said.

"Getting some of our experienced players back is certainly making a big difference.

"It's probably the second week in a row we've been able to use the bench effectively whereas previously we've had kids on the bench."

The Force have now won two games on the trot since opening their season with six straight losses and face the Blues in Auckland next Saturday.

"We've got confidence in our defence and we've got confidence in the shape of our attack, it's just a matter of us keeping ball for larger periods," Mitchell said.

"There's still a little bit left in this team in terms of getting better."

Highlanders halfback Jimmy Cowan was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul in the 22nd minute and the Force capitalised on their numerical advantage, with Shepherd reaching full stretch to touch down after a nice inside pass from Chris O'Young.

The game showed its first signs of agro when Nathan Sharpe and opposite lock Hayden Triggs engaged in a bit of argy bargy but it was nothing compared to the punch-up between Force prop Pek Cowan and the Highlanders' Clint Newland five minutes before half-time.

While most of the punches missed their marks, both players were sent to the sin bin.

But they clearly harboured no ill feelings towards each other, sharing a laugh and a joke while they served their time on the sidelines.

The Force took a 10-6 lead into the break but the Highlanders started the second half full of run, with a Berquist penalty followed by a try to Chris King giving the home side a 14-10 lead.

The lead changed three more times as O'Connor, Highlanders No.8 Steven Setephano and Cross all notched tries before Berquist's penalty gave the home side a slender 22-20 lead.

But from there it was all the Force, with the crisp passing of Turner proving crucial to the visitors' late dominance.

Turner started the three-try run when he got on the end of a David Pocock break, and when Shepherd and Cross added their second tries of the afternoon, it was game over.

Pocock was superb in defence, with his lunging tackle in the 12th minute denying Highlanders winger Fetu'u Vainikolo what would have otherwise been a certain try.

"Last week we spoke about and reinforced the lasting efforts in defence and that was another example - never say never," Mitchell said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP