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Force sign fourth Super playmaker

8th January, 2013
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The Western Force have ensured they won’t run short of playmakers again this Super Rugby season by signing New Zealander Sam Christie as a fourth option at five-eighth.

The 26-year-old Christie is a former New Zealand schoolboys representative who has had seven years with the Waikato provincial team and he was added to the Force’s extended squad after training in Perth for over a month.

He joins a list of five-eighths at the Force which also includes former Cheetahs and Junior Springboks star Sias Ebersohn, former Wallaby Sam Norton-Knight and Australian Under 20 representative Kyle Godwin.

Injuries and the pre-season axing of Kiwi Willie Ripia left the Perth-based team struggling for playmakers last season but new coach Michael Foley is happy that won’t happen again.

“Being such a pivotal position, we wanted to ensure we had depth at fly-half this season,” Foley said.

“We’ve now got four quality options at ’10’ – as well as the ability to cover a number of other positions – through the retention of Kyle Godwin and the recruitment of Sias Ebersohn, Sam Norton-Knight and now Sam Christie.

“Sam’s form with Waikato was impressive during the ITM Cup, including a strong showing in their Ranfurly Shield win over Taranaki.

“He’s a confident, attacking player. He’s strong under pressure, he’s got an accurate passing game and he’ll be pushing hard for game time this season.”

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Christie jumped at the opportunity.

“I’ve been working hard for a number of years to make it into Super Rugby and to have this opportunity is a really exciting step,” he said.

“I like the running style of rugby and the Force is going to bring a great style of rugby this year.

“We’ve got some very sharp backs and a versatile forward pack and we’ve got a chance to play some good attacking rugby which I’m really excited about.”

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