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Western Force recruit Willie Ripia will make his long awaited debut for the club on Saturday night and steps straight into a potent backline battle against the Waratahs in Perth.
The former Hurricanes playmaker moves directly into flyhalf after sitting out the club’s opening six games with a niggling foot injury but has trained fully in the past fortnight to prove he is ready for the rigours of Super Rugby.
Ripia’s inclusion has enabled Head Coach Richard Graham to rejig his backline with star youngster James O’Connor moving from 10 to fullback while Cameron Shepherd and David Smith will start on the wings.
“It is good to have Willie available for selection. It has been a frustrating time for him on the sidelines but he has trained with the team for the last two weeks and I feel that he is now ready to contribute,” Graham said.
“Willie is a specialist 10, while James has performed exceptionally well for us in that roll I felt in terms of balance of the side this is the best thing for the team.”
Ripia, who played five seasons in New Zealand before heading west, was in superb condition to make a big impact for the Emirates Western Force before suffering an injury in the club’s opening trial match against the Australian Barbarians in late February.
The 25 year old has worked diligently to get back to full fitness and home supporters will get their first look at the lively playmaker in a game that will pit some of Australian rugby’s most dangerous attacking players against each other.
Meanwhile in the forwards, former Australian Sevens player Jono Jenkins earns his first start as a replacement for the injured Matt Hodgson. Jenkins, a specialist open side flanker, will wear the number 7 jersey alongside Wallaby backrowers Richard Brown and Ben McCalman.
“As a squad we’re fortunate to have depth in that backrow position and whilst we’ve lost two internationals in David Pocock and Hodgson we’re very confident that Jono can perform well at this level,” Graham said.
Players and coaching staff have spent time at training this week working on strategies to close out matches and that could prove handy as history suggests encounters between the Emirates Western Force and Waratahs will go down to the wire.
In their past four meetings one game has ended in a draw, another decided by a solitary point, while the biggest winning margin has been just five points.
“The conference system provides plenty of local derbies and the game against the Waratahs this weekend is eagerly anticipated by our supporters as historically there have been a number of close contests between the two sides,” said Graham.
“We’re working hard on the training field to close out the tight games and we look forward to performing well on the weekend.”
The Emirates Western Force will run out in a new jersey on Saturday night with the unique design being worn to aid the superb work of EightyTwenty Vision which is a club aligned charity co-founded by David Pocock.
“RugbyWA has shown some wonderful foresight in supporting charities over the last five years and this is another great example of how rugby can assist those most in need. David is very passionate about his charity work and I know that our members and supporters will be there on Saturday night to cheer on the team and also to support EightyTwenty Vision,” Graham said.
Bidding to own a jersey worn by a member of the run-on side is now open. Just follow the links on www.westernforce.com.au
2011 Super Rugby – Week 8
Emirates Western Force v Waratahs
Saturday, 9 April 2011 at nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 8.05pm (AWST)
Emirates Western Force Squad
1. Pek Cowan
2. Ben Whittaker
3. Tim Fairbrother
4. Sam Wykes
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Richard Brown
7. Jono Jenkins
8. Ben McCalman
9. Brett Sheehan
10. Willie Ripia
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. Gene Fairbanks
13. Nick Cummins
14. David Smith
15. James O’Connor
Reserves
16. Nathan Charles
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Tom Hockings
19. Tevita Metuisela
20. James Stannard
21. Rory Sidey
22. Pat Dellit
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