Flyhalf troubles fail to unsettle Force
It's the flyhalf curse the Western Force just can't seem to shake.
The No.10 jersey has been somewhat of a revolving door since the club's inception in 2006, with only Matt Giteau able to put a genuine stamp on the position during his three years in Perth.
Twelve other players have come and gone over the past six years, with the most recent being Willie Ripia, who quit the club in disgrace early this year.
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Ripia - battling a gambling addiction - was allegedly caught on CCTV stealing from team-mates, making his position at the club untenable.
Although the Force are close to naming Ripia's replacement, the New Zealander's swift exit so close to the start of the season means scrumhalf James Stannard will start as the incumbent No.10, with uncapped 21-year-old Ben Seymour his back-up.
Stannard performed well in the key playmaker's role at the tail-end of last season, and coach Richard Graham is adamant Ripia's departure hasn't left the club vulnerable.
"It's not unsettling," Graham said.
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Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/rugby-unio...#ixzz1mVw9tThQ
