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Maori star commits to Wallabies

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:00

Pivotal player: Maori star Willie Ripia could play for the Wallabies. (c) Gallo

The Western Force has landed one of the game's most exciting young playmakers, with New Zealand Maori representative Willie Ripia heading to Western Australia for the next two Super Rugby seasons.

Ripia has notched 30 Super Rugby appearances and at just 24 years of age will add to the franchise's list of quality young stars. He joins the Western Force as a foreign development player after committing his international future to Australian Rugby - making him eligible for the Wallabies.

"It was no secret that finding a quality flyhalf was top of the list in our off season recruiting and in Willie we believe we have achieved just that," RugbyWA CEO Vern Reid said.

"Willie is an exciting young player who has the added benefit of experience at Super Rugby level. He has something special about him and will add that ‘X' factor to our attack.

"In the short history of the Western Force we've been able to develop some of the most promising young players in the game. Willie has already put on display his enormous talent but he also has plenty more to show given the right opportunities.

"He was able to spend some time in Perth last month and proved himself to be a terrific young man. He can see what we're about and the encouraging prospects of the Force squad and is keen to be part of that development," said Reid.

After nine matches for the Hurricanes in 2010, Ripia played his part in the New Zealand Maori tour wins against England and Ireland and is currently playing in the NPC with Taranaki where he has booted 38 points in the opening three weeks.

He made his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders as a second substitute against the Western Force in 2006 and was the starting pivot for the Canes when the Force travelled to Wellington earlier this year.

"Getting game time and playing in my preferred position at flyhalf was a huge incentive for me, along with the new challenge the move to Perth presents," Ripia said of his decision to join the Force.

"I've been in and around the New Zealand system for a while now and thought it was time to challenge myself and my football. I think this is the right move personally and I'm determined to prove it'll be the right move for the Force as well.

"In the time I spent looking at the franchise and meeting the people there I could see the great culture they've built, that is something I'm really big on. It was definitely one of the big drivers for me to sign on."

Ripia said Wallabies great Stephen Larkham and All Blacks flyhalf Carlos Spencer were his inspirations while growing up and is a keen exponent of free running rugby. Vocal on the field he is looking forward to joining a backline boasting the try scoring potency and experience of Cameron Shepherd and Scott Staniforth mixed with rising stars including James O'Connor.

"There are a lot of great young players coming through now at the Force. I'm looking forward to linking up with the team and developing some really strong combinations," said Ripia.

"In terms of how I've gone about my rugby I think the first thing people would probably say is I never stop talking," he laughed.

"In all seriousness, I love controlling and directing the play, I think they're probably my best assets but I don't mind having a step now and then and taking the ball into contact."

A New Zealand Under-19 and Under-21 representative, Ripia will be eligible to play for the Wallabies after three years in Australia. While he'd be delighted to pull on the Gold and Green should the opportunity arise his first port of call is helping the Force climb the Super Rugby ladder.

"I haven't given a lot of thought about much else other than wanting to do my best for the Force. If I can be consistently good for my franchise then other opportunities might come around but I'm focussed on doing a job for my team right now," Ripia said

After living all his life in the rugby centric Land of the Long White Cloud, Ripia is enthusiastic about sharing his passion for the game and is excited about being part of the expansion of the code throughout WA.

"Rugby receives plenty of attention in New Zealand and the players like to get out and about and that is something I'm looking forward to doing in Perth as well. I know there is a really strong supporter base for the game, and for the Force, and I'll be doing everything I can to help boost the profile in the community. I definitely want to get out and meet our supporters."

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