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Foreign Developing player Willie Ripia will not be part of the Emirates Western Force squad in 2012 after the club agreed today to accept Ripia’s resignation, effective immediately.
The club has investigated a serious breach of team protocols by the New Zealand born flyhalf and following a meeting this morning with senior management, Ripia offered his resignation later in the day. The club wishes to stress that the matter relates to an internal incident at the club and does not involve any member of the public or public property.
Ripia played seven matches last year with the Emirates Western Force after moving across from the Hurricanes for the 2011 season.
Head Coach Richard Graham will review his options over the coming days before making any decisions on the possible recruitment of another playmaker to the club.
The Emirates Western Force will be making no further comment on Ripia’s departure at this point.
[Ed]
Seems Willie has been caught on camera stealing from fellow players to pay for a gambling problem.
Last edited by Darren; 11-01-12 at 09:27. Reason: More Info
What the?
Unnamed sauces?
And this is good news for standard! Would love to see him at 10 a bit more!
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Hmmm. I wonder what that was. Curious that it happens the day after the meet the fan day.
It could be worse. Probably 99% of Force fans would rather see Stannard play 10 anyway and where would you play Ripia if not at 10?
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
hasn't really lived up to the high expectation I had for Ripia, I know injury was a huge issue but even when he was on the park (in my eyes) he wasn't a starting #10, went missing on occasions and wasn't strong enough to lead our backline.
But not shooting the kid whiles he's down, hope he finds his feet again soon ..
Opens the door for Kyle Godwin as a back up - damn shame but if he has breached protocols to the extent of getting fired then so be it.
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'Rugby and sex are the only things you can enjoy without being good at them.' -anonymous
The Force number 10 curse strikes again. I can hardly believe it.
Feeling quite pissed off, don't want to go into another season without a specialist flyhalf and adequate back-up.
now a slots opened up on our squad, it'll be interesting to see who they target, only 3 weeks to the first pre season game and 6 weeks until the start of super rugby!........
Do we make Stannard a full time ten and chase a 9 or do we go for a 10 and hope they are good enough at 10 so that Stannard becomes an option at 9 if we have injuries. Shame we can't just clone Stannard.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
Word is he's been signed by Nedlands.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.