The main subject that will probably be discussed following Willia Ripia’s move from Taranaki and the Hurricanes to the Western Force will be his inclusion as a ‘project’ player. What I want to discuss, though, is what role he will play in the fortunes of the Force in the coming seasons.
In 2011, the inaugural season of Super 15 Rugby, the Western Force will be playing in their fifth term of Super rugby. Last year was a bit of a damp squib, after the three previous years of mid-table finishes.
Injuries played a large part in their slide down the table in the competition last season, but the lack of direction at the pivotal five-eighth position was another reason.
They have tried to remedy this problem by signing the Kiwi, Willie Ripia.
Ripia started last year as the ‘Canes starting stand off, but was eventually replaced by the prodigiously talented Aaron Cruden. Obviously realising his chances would be limited in Wellington, and probably any other New Zealand franchise he could have joined, he jumped at the chance to head to Perth.
Now that we know what the Force are able to offer him, what can Ripia offer the Force?
Ripia is a player who likes to play the gain-line and will invite his comrades into it with him. He possesses a cultured left boot and is quite a big lad who can look after himself in contact.
Maybe it’s a fatal flaw in his play or maybe it’s just that he is still young and has been playing in a pressure environment at the ‘Canes, but he is quite inconsistent. His distribution can be erratic and his kicking all over the place.
It’s a big ‘if”, but if the Force can keep their injury list small or even clean of their key players throughout the year, then I feel the play of Ripia will decide if they make the finals in 2011 or not.
With a competitive pack, lead by franchise player David Pocock, and a solid backline with a few gems, this is a side that can make a run if given the right direction and focus by their pivot.
So is Ripia the man to provide that for them or is he just a stop gap before they entrust the reigns to a young player like a Stefana Hunt, or sign a Lealiifano or Halangahu?
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