NICK TAYLOR, The West Australian
January 26, 2012, 8:28 am


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The Western Force are negotiating to play South African Currie Cup side Eastern Province Kings when Super Rugby takes a mid-season break in June.

The break, to accommodate four Test matches - three against Wales and one against Scotland - hits the Force particularly hard as they have a bye before the break, effectively leaving them without a game for five weeks in May-June.

The competition restarts with just three rounds left and those games would be crucial for the Force if they are still in with a chance of a finals appearance.

They have the return tie against the Brumbies at nib stadium followed by games against the Blues and Crusaders in New Zealand.

Coach Richard Graham will be desperate to keep his players match fit during the lull in competition.

He will give them a week off, two weeks in club rugby and the expected game against the Kings before he prepares them for the restart of Super rugby.

Graham has coached teams in Europe when club seasons are put on hold for a couple of weeks for international matches.

"I've never experienced anything like this though," he said.

·Graham is not rushing into signing a replacement for fly-half Willie Ripia, who resigned earlier this month. He will closely monitor James Stannard and Ben Seymour in trials against the Brumbies and Reds before making his decision.

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