Force move on Ripia

[travelling_gerry]

Force move on Ripia

NICK TAYLOR, The West Australian June 21, 2010, 9:08 am



Willie Ripia. Pic: Getty Images © Enlarge photo






The Western Force are chasing New Zealand Maori and Hurricanes fly-half Willie Ripia as their all-important playmaker for the new Super rugby competition.
Ripia was a hero of the Maori's famous win over Ireland on Friday, slotting a late penalty to give his side a 31-28 victory.


The Force are also keeping a close watch on "Baby Bok" fly-half Josias Ebersohn, who is with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and another New Zealander, Mike Harris, from North Harbour.


The Force, have already spoken to the Australian Rugby Union about signing Ripia, 24, and Ebersohn, 20, who both qualify as overseas developing players, leaving the Force with its marquee spot still open.


Harris, 21, is eligible to play for Australia through his family background.


"Willie has shown interest. He is our most experienced option," Force chief executive Vern Reid said.


"He's a Quade Cooper type, not your typical No. 10. He kicks goals, has a good boot but he also has flair and offers that little bit extra. He has that X factor."


Australian Super clubs are allowed two overseas players - a marquee player who has represented his country at senior level can sign for one year and a developing player who must commit to Australian rugby for three years and make himself available to the Australian Rugby Union.


The Force are faced with two scenarios.


If they sign an overseas marquee fly-half - and the door has not closed on last year's signing Andre Pretorius - the second string would likely be an overseas development player.


If Ripia or Ebersohn were picked up as their first-choice playmaker, the Force would opt for an Australian player as second string.


·The RugbyWA board meets tonight and is expected to ratify the new coach who will succeed John Mitchell in the 2012 season.

The favourite for the position is current Force and Wallabies assistant coach Richard Graham.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...move-on-ripia/

[jombi]

Makes sense with Cruden earmarked for the canes 10, and the naki not looking too good.

If it's between those 2 I hope we pick up Ebersohn, he's got some toe!

[jono]

does this mean we're not interested in stannard?

[travelling_gerry]

Chuck is a back up replacement for the long term injury to Turner.

[jono]

disregard this post. i'm clearly on drugs today.
no i'm not sharing

[pieter blackie]

Full Name Josias Mathiem
Surname Ebersohn
Height 176
Weight 83
Birth Date 23 February 1989
Birth City Bloemfontein

Province Free State Cheetahs
Tries 12
Conversions 66
Penalties 30
Drop Goals 5
Points 297

Squads
Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition) - 2010
Free State (Vodacom Cup) - 2010
Vodacom Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 14) - 2010
Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition) - 2009
Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division) - 2009
South Africa (IRB Junior World Championships) - 2009
Free State (Vodacom Cup) - 2009
Free State u21 (ABSA Under 21 Competition) - 2008
Vodacom FS Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div) - 2008
South Africa (IRB Junior World Championship) - 2008
Free State (Vodacom Cup) - 2008
Shimlas (FNB Varsity Cup) - 2008
SA Schools Academy (SA Schools) - 2007
Free State (U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week) - 2007
Free State (U18 Coca Cola Craven Week) - 2006
Free State (U16 Coca Cola Grant Khomo Week) - 2005

[BDAVEY]

never heard of him... sorry

[zimeric]

looks a bit like drew mitchell.. for his sins

[.X.]

looks a bit like drew mitchell.. for his sins

that should make Robyn happy

[travelling_gerry]

Force set sights on Ebersohn
2010-06-23 22:32Email | Print

Sias Ebersohn (Gallo Images)
Hendrik Cronjé

Bloemfontein – The Western Force are continuing their search in South Africa for a fly-half to replace André Pretorius.

Peter Grant was at the top of the Australian Super 15 team’s shopping list prior to the Western Province fly-half recently announcing that he would rather play for a club side in Japan.

The Force now have their sights on Sias Ebersohn of the Cheetahs.

Ebersohn, 20, has been contracted by the Cheetahs until after this year’s Currie Cup and will play for Free State in a friendly match against the Griffons in Welkom on Saturday.

He was one of the leading scorers for South Africa in the Junior World Championship last year and is competing with the experienced Louis Strydom for the Cheetahs’ No 10 jersey this season.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské confirmed that Ebersohn is contracted until after the Currie Cup.

Drotské also denied that they were interested in signing Earl Rose from the Lions.

“We aren’t interested in Earl at this stage.”

The West Australian newspaper reports that the Force have already spoken with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) about the possibility of contracting Ebersohn.

He can be contracted as a development player, while the Aussie side are also interested in signing skilful Hurricanes No 10 Willie Ripia.

The West Australian added that the door had not been slammed shut on Pretorius returning to Perth.

However, the man who missed their Super 14 campaign with a hamstring injury recently underwent tests at the Sharks.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Force...rsohn-20100623