Ripia resigns from Force

[oxleymoron]

Has swanepoel been asked about his availability from february to august?
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[fulvio sammut]

OK, so let's forensically dissect the RugbyWA media release.

There was a "serious incident".

Ripia was called before management in the morning and "resigned" in the afternoon.

His resignation was made "effective immediately"

The emphasis on the alacrity of his departure was reinforced by the comment that he would not be part of the squad in 2012.

Comment of an alleged serious breach of protocols was followed by the assurance that "no member of the public or public property was involved" , the clear inference being that a person on the inside of the Force and Force property was involved, presumably damaged.

So who do you lot think got snotted and why?

[brokendown gunfighter]

as a matter of pure coincidence I saw Stookie in a restaurant near our place a hour or so ago;I was very tempted to go in and ask him what the go was,but refrained!


Haig Sare wasn't in town was he?

[Flat-top]

Seeya Willie

http://www.asm-rugby.com/Brock-James...-Auvergne.html

Brock James, now there's a good call Burgs...although last time i saw him was in the Ulster v Clermont HCup match in October at Ravenhill when he was terrible, but I think overall that was a blip in what otherwise has been a successful move to France. With the ever reducing salary cap in the Top 14 I could see a return to Perth very tempting for young Brock....would he be a fans choice though?

[brokendown gunfighter]

absolutley

[Unnamed Sauces]

So who do you lot think got snotted and why?

The cluedo answer is

"Ben Cuzins" "pushed down the stairs" and "in the drug rehabilitation clinic"

[Lee Grant]

By and large Brock has been playing well this year and plays well with scrummie Senio. But when the main no.9, Parra, returned from the RWC and played in his usual individual style, James became less effective.

Still, there is no way that Clermont would release him from a contract: he is like a rock star in CA.

If Godwin's shoulder is in good shape I would promote him and get a scrummie for the EPS.

From the Sydney comp I would recommend Chris Cottee of Manly or DeWet Roos of Southern Districts. They're not world beaters but are very decent.

[travelling_gerry]

Nick Taylor
January 11, 2012


WESTERN FORCE key playmaker Willie Ripia resigned from the Super Rugby club yesterday after he was caught stealing from his teammates.

Ripia, who has had a chronic gambling problem, was captured on CCTV taking money belonging to players in the change rooms at the Force's Mount Claremont headquarters.

Force management were considering whether to tear up Ripia's contract or suspend him when the five-eighth offered his resignation.

Players had been complaining to management for several months about losing money. Ripia had been suspected of taking the cash but several times denied any involvement when confronted and questioned until he was told about Friday's CCTV vision.

Ripia, 26, has had counselling - arranged by the Force - for his gambling both externally and through a player representative.

The club yesterday confirmed it had agreed to accept Ripia's resignation. The statement said the club had investigated a serious breach of team protocols.

"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," the statement said.

Police have not been called to investigate at this stage as none of the players who lost money have made an official complaint outside the club.

Ripia's loss is a huge blow to the Force's finals aspirations with the season less than seven weeks away.

Having lost Wallaby James O'Connor to the Melbourne Rebels in controversial circumstances last year and now Ripia, coach Richard Graham will be desperate to find a quality replacement but is likely to struggle this close to kick-off.

The Force will speak to the ARU about signing a new overseas player. "In the short term we will utilise our playing stocks and review our options once we have further clarity about recruitment from the ARU," Graham said.

Ripia played for New Zealand Maori and NZ under-21s and under-19s and was signed from the Hurricanes as the Force 2011 overseas developing player. When he moved from Wellington, Ripia was seen as the solution to the club's five-eighth problem but was restricted to just six starts and one appearance from the bench after a mystery foot injury and then a calf muscle problem.

His resignation could let in former Australian Sevens player James Stannard, who began his club career at five-eighth, converted to halfback when he joined the Force but was a revelation when he stepped in for Ripia at the end of last season.

A spokesman for Ripia's management, Inside Running, did not wish to comment.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...#ixzz1j3yYbrZj

[TOCC]

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.

its easier to sign another halfback then it is a flyhalf IMO...

better off chasing a young halfback and making stannard a full-time fly-half

unless they stumble on a quality 5/8 in south africa or new zealand

[travelling_gerry]

Is this not good for the team environment that any trust issues are dealt with and gone?

We have a backline that has been training now for 3 months with 1 gone and 32 players happy with their wallets.

Roll on Ben Seymour.

[beige]

Is this not good for the team environment that any trust issues are dealt with and gone?

You would think so. Hopefully he gets his issues sorted out.

[Hoolly Doolly]

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.

stannard fulltime at 10. i preffered sheehan at 9 then stannard. Turner will be very handy injection off the bench.Still prefferred if we kept swanepoel ahead of turner though.

[Burgs]

Wow, goodbye career!
Hope he sorts that shit out and gets life back on track.

So long as we don't sign a "Star" I will be happy, one in the Larkham mould will do me, should never have got rid of Jimmy H.

[GAFFA]

Maybe we should look outside the box for a replacement 10. Can any one remember a good 10 from the RWC from one of the mino nations or teir 2 nation thats would be a good get? Something to think about maybe?

[jono]

Nah stuff it. Get an Australian and develop him. I'm ok with watching the boys not make the finals if we're developing!
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