Backed: Willie Ripia
New Zealand Maori fly-half Willie Ripia has been praised by two team-mates after he stood up in front of the squad in an attempt to clear the air pre-tour.
Earlier this year, Ripia was caught on camera stealing from Force colleagues in the changing room, seemingly putting his career in doubt.
Since then he has received counselling and been given a chance by coach Jamie Jospeph to get his rugby back on track in their three-game trip.
"He addressed us as a group last night and I think that's a real testament to his character and how he's managed to go away, find the right help that he needed," lock Ross Filipo told One Sport.
Meanwhile, centre Tim Bateman also paid tribute to the strength shown by Ripia ahead of the tour.
"One of the beauties of this team is we all come from different backgrounds, but we all have that one thing in common - that one thing we're very proud about - and he's definitely a huge part of this side," he said.
Comments
ferdie says...
Team for Leicester tomorrow, 11 players make debut for NZM
1. Ben May, 2. Hika Elliot, 3. Ben Afeaki, 4. Jarrad Hoeata, 5. Jason Eaton, 6. Shane Christie, 7. Tanerau Latimer (c), 8. Elliot Dixon, 9. Frae Wilson, 10. Willie Ripia, 11. Kade Poki, 12. Tim Bateman, 13. Charlie Ngatai, 14. Kurt Baker, 15. Andre Taylor
Reserves: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Jacob Ellison, 18. Bronson Murray, 19. Romana Graham, 20. Nick Crosswell, 21. Jamieson Gibson-Park, 22. Jackson Willison, 23. Declan OżDonnell
Posted 05:26 12th November 2012
ApanuiWarrior75 says...
I think that it took a lot of courage for Willie to do that. Things can not have been easy for him since all that trouble with the Western Force so you have to take your hat off to him for trying to start his career again and to face his personal demons. Kia Kaha Willie and to the rest of the Maori team.
Posted 09:19 06th November 2012