Western Force coach Richard Graham has not given up hope of leading his team to the finals despite the Perth-based franchise's winless start to the Super Rugby season.

The Force were held to a 22-22 draw by the Blues on Saturday night in Perth, with New Zealand five-eighth Stephen Brett the hero of the night after nailing a game-tying penalty from 39m out after the siren.

It was a heartbreaking finish for the Force, who led 22-12 with just three minutes to go before the Blues finished with a flurry.

The Force, who have posted just one draw from three games, are in danger of losing touch with their rivals in the Australian conference ahead of a tricky road trip to South Africa, where the rejuvenated Lions and talent-laden Stormers await.

But Graham believed it was far too early to write off his team just yet.

"I think the really important thing for us as a group ... is that it's three games old for us and there's another 12 games to go," Graham said.

"We've got a lot to look forward to in terms of the quality of rugby we're playing and the personnel that we've got playing for us and certainly go to South Africa with confidence."

Force five-eighth Willie Ripia is a chance to return from a foot injury, with Monday's training session to determine whether the former Hurricanes playmaker makes the trip to South Africa.

James O'Connor has starred in his three games at flyhalf but Graham indicated Ripia was likely to take over the No.10 jersey once he was deemed fit.

"When you're down in terms of numbers in the backs, you want as much quality as you can on the field," Graham said.

The Force were left to rue yet another one that got away, with Jono Jenkins' yellow card in the 76th minute opening the door for the Blues to slam on 10 quick points to steal a share of the spoils.

O'Connor put in another man-of-the-match performance, slotting six of his seven shots on goal for a 17-point haul.

But his defensive work was also a highlight, with a desperate, lunging tackle at full pace on Blues fullback Isaia Toeava denying what would have been a certain try.

Prop Matt Dunning limped off early in the match with an ankle injury.

Fellow front-rower Tim Fairbrother was a late withdrawal due to a rib complaint, but Graham confirmed both would be fine for Saturday's clash with the Lions in Johannesburg, where former Force coach John Mitchell will be looking to get one over his old side.

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