Ripia out of clash with the Sharks
Star signing Willie Ripia is unlikely to make his Western Force Super Rugby debut in the third-round clash against the unbeaten Sharks at nib Stadium on Saturday.
Ripia, who joined the Force from the Hurricanes, has not trained since picking up a foot injury in their first pre-season trial against the Australian Barbarians almost a month ago.
His absence will mean another intriguing tussle for James O'Connor, who will line up in the No.10 jumper opposite another 20-year old, the Durban-based club's Patrick Lambie.
Two weeks ago, O'Connor outshone rival and good mate Quade Cooper in the season opener against the Queensland Reds.
Lambie, who made his Springbok debut on the tour of the UK last year, put in a man-of-the-match performance, scoring 21 points in the 26-12 weekend win over the Blues in Durban with a try, four penalties and two conversions.
The result left them top of the South African conference ladder and second in overall standings.
Force coach Richard Graham will undoubtedly have hatched a plan to shackle Lambie in the same way they kept Cooper quiet in the Reds game.
They will pressure him with strong, aggressive line-speed defence to limit his time and space.
But they will also want to spoil the breakdown where Graham has identified other dangers, particularly hooker Bismarck du Plessis - a Force recruiting target after the 2008 season - and the back row of Keegan Daniel, Willem Alberts and Ryan Kankowski.
The Sharks pushed up hard against the Blues and ran the ball back with interest when the New Zealanders kicked poorly.
"Having Bismarck du Plessis gives them some genuine go forward," Graham said. "Their back row, they're big men, and again will give them go forward.
"The Sharks were impressive (against the Blues), a big physical side. I'm not surprised with the way they played.
"For us, this weekend is about trying to put as much pressure on them at the set piece as we can and also controlling the gain line.
"We've worked incredibly hard. The boys are very keen to get started."
The Force yesterday announced the re-signing of second-rower Sam Wykes and winger Nick Cummins for two more years.
Graham said he was pleased the pair had made that commitment.
"It shows confidence in the program - two boys with an enormous future," he said.
"Probably over the last few years (they) haven't really understood what it means to be a professional athlete, but certainly through their efforts in pre-season I think they have now come to realise what it takes."
