Force's Ripia relishing 'awesome' backline
Western Force recruit Willie Ripia is looking forward to unleashing the "awesome" backline talent outside him, when he makes his debut for the Perth-based rugby franchise on Saturday.
The New Zealand U19, U21 and Maori representative will pull the strings from five-eighth in the trial against an Australian Barbarians side at Sydney's TG Millner Field.
Ripia said the Force would use Saturday's game to work on combinations and do "hopefully a lot of running."
The backline includes the Force's other Kiwi recruit, wing speedster David Smith.
"There's some awesome talent out wide", Ripia said on Friday.
New coach Richard Graham said versatile Wallabies back James O'Connor would start at fullback against the Barbarians, but would not rule out using him in other positions.
"You may see him move during the game, it will just be dependent on how we're going as a side and how well we've settled," Graham said.
He made it clear a number of spots remained up for grabs going into the new Super campaign.
"There's probably four or five positions still open at this stage, the trials will certainly give us an indication of where we're at as a group, but also individuals," Graham said.
The Force looked overseas to fill the crucial pivot spot again after New Zealander David Hill was recruited early in the 2010 season following an injury to South African Andre Pretorius.
"It's a huge challenge and I quite like the task of doing that," Ripia said.
"Obviously I haven't secured the 10 (jersey) but I'll try to do my best and offer everything that I can towards the team."
Ripia said it had been a massive decision to head across the Tasman.
"I want to play more time at 10," said the versatile Ripia, who can also play half-back.
"I enjoyed Super rugby and I wanted to play a bit more and I saw the Force as a good opportunity for me to grow as a player and as a person."
He moved to Perth on November 20, and said he loved the city, but had found the pre-season a lot tougher than what he was used to back home.
"Not only with the weather, but back home you have a 10-day pre season camp, here you have two months," Ripia said.
The Barbarians team includes five Waratahs and several of the outstanding players from last year's Sydney club competition.
