Ripia signs 2 year deal with the Force

[palitu]

i always think of bart as an old man, not someone who could play on the wing...

[Tazzmania]

Your right I forgot all about cummins would slip him into 11

[robyn <3]

Having a bit of Kiwi in the team doesn't look like it will hurt. Not after watching that.

Good form Ripia.

[Hoolly Doolly]

Your right I forgot all about cummins would slip him into 11

9) Sheehan
10) Ripia
11) Cummins
12) O Connor
13) Inman
14)Staniforth
15) Sheppard[/QUOTE]

Its a great look......tho theres a few combinations that could work.
With fairbanks, Stannard and Barthy on the bench which is very handy id like to see some more outside backs for cover. whats the go with hunt and goddard? are they ready to be blooded more next year?

[AndyS]

Seeing as Mitchell knows Ripia and he's been learning behind Cruden, I'd say he's a great acquistion.

I don't know I'd be too happy if he has been learning from someone who was playing U-20 last year. Mind you, that Cruden lad must be huge, being able to to step straight up to Super level in the centres - so much fitter and better than, say, O'Connor who needs to be hidden away for his own safety.

[Burgs]

I am much happier having a tradesman Flyhalf next season than a wannabe superstar "quarterback" like we have had previously.

[farva]

9) Sheehan
10) Ripia
11) Cummins
12) O Connor
13) Inman
14)Staniforth
15) Sheppard

Its a great look......tho theres a few combinations that could work.
With fairbanks, Stannard and Barthy on the bench which is very handy id like to see some more outside backs for cover. whats the go with hunt and goddard? are they ready to be blooded more next year?[/QUOTE]

What is the word on Shepherds leg?
He wasnt playing fullback last season as he didnt want to strain it too much kicking. But he is back in the Wallabies and looks set to get a game this weekend.

If his leg isnt right, we need to have a good think about fullback. Id like to see OConnor play at 12, but the only other fullback option is Bart.

So do we maybe see:

Sheehan
Ripia
Cummins
Spanner
Inman
Shepherd
OConnor

?

[Burgs]

We should know a whole lot more about Shep by Sunday morning.
I'd be more than happy to see the Backline you have there though Farva, it gives JO'C the opportunity to come in as the second playmaker, or to the base of a ruck/maul if Sheehan is caught with an excellent option to come off the wing to cover him when he does.
I used to think JO'C was best suited to #12 as a skills set, which he probably still is, but now I think that he probably will last longer in his career and provide more flare per match from #15.
I would be really excited to see Stanners line up at #12 again and given a full season I honestly believe he would be in the mix for the RWC Squad considering the issues we are having there.

[shasta]

I would be really excited to see Stanners line up at #12 again and given a full season

If I had to pick one aspect of JM's record here that's really had me frustrated, that would absolutely be it.

[zimeric]

totally agree! Spanner is one of Australia's best inside Centres and has effectively lost out on wallaby callups because of JM's penchant to stick him out on the wings due to the WF lack of depth there... same as Sheps .. was/is Australia's best option of 15 and yet he keeps being put on the wing.. gah!!

[farva]

totally agree! Spanner is one of Australia's best inside Centres and has effectively lost out on wallaby callups because of JM's penchant to stick him out on the wings due to the WF lack of depth there... same as Sheps .. was/is Australia's best option of 15 and yet he keeps being put on the wing.. gah!!

Im not so convinced of that anymore. He was, but the new interpretations mean that a good kicking game from fullback is no longer the be all and end all.
It is the counter attacking that one possesses. Shep has that in buckets, as well as the positional play, the defence and being able to get under the high ball. But it was his kicking game added into that that set him apart.
AAC possesses all these attributes too, but was let down by kicking. Now without the need to kick he is a very good option, and less likely to break.

Id still have Shep in the team though, he knows where the try line is, and is one of the few Australian players that regularly crosses.

[jombi]

That's a pretty good point Farva.

The great thing about Shepherd though is that he is a finisher, he's the sort of bloke that can turn a break from spanners/O'Connor into a try 50m down the field.

[jono]

He is deceptively fast. And has an unusual step that baffles a lot of defenders. His counter is second to none imo. He will have the 15 shirt in a few weeks.
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[brokendown gunfighter]

watched Tasman V Taranaki on Fox yesterday;Ripia was solid without being spectacular.Also noticed Currie cup side the Lions being coached by one John Mitchell
what's the go there?

[The InnFORCEr]

Also noticed Currie cup side the Lions being coached by one John Mitchell
what's the go there?

He is on holidays Gunny