Ripia puts drop goal 'mare behind him
May 20 2008
Three missed drop goals in five minutes might be enough to shatter the average young fly-half's confidence, but Hurricanes pivot Willie Ripia will not be shy if required against the Crusaders in the Super 14 semi-final on Saturday.
Ripia tried to salvage his team's hoped of a home semi-final with three late shots against the Blues last Friday, but saw all three fly wide in the 17-19 defeat, leaving his team facing a huge challenge in AMI Stadium on Saturday.
Ripia, still only 21 and who has ousted regular incumbent Jimmy Gopperth from the Hurricanes' number ten shirt this campaign, has shrugged off the disappointment though, and is ready for a toe-to-toe with Dan Carter this weekend.
"Personally, I should have slotted them really, they were quite easy kicks," he told NZPA.
"It was one of those days where my foot let me down but I'm not going to hide. I just should have kicked them."
The pressure will be up another notch on Saturday, not only because of the semi-final, but also because Carter and company will be out to target the inexperienced youngster. And then there is the possibility of facing another last-minute kick to win the game and the place in the final.
"I love it. As a ten, I think you thrive under pressure like that, any other 10 would say that too," he said.
"The Crusaders are probably the pinnacle of New Zealand rugby at the moment and the likes of Dan Carter playing will make it the biggest challenge I've had.
"Definitely the Blues was the toughest, biggest game I've ever played. It was a huge crowd and I enjoyed it, even though we didn't win. It's quite cool."
Carter and Brett - Ripia had several tangles with the latter and New Zealand age group levels - have already been identified as the attacking nerve cenrte of the Crusaders during the preparations in Wellington.
"We do a lot on those two in particular," Ripia revealed.