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Wallabies wildcard James O'Connor has been thrust into five-eighth for Western Force's opening-round Super Rugby clash with Queensland
Super Rugby Week OneFormer Hurricanes playmaker Ripia had been pencilled in to wear the No.10 jersey in the Super Rugby opener but was scratched due to a foot injury he sustained in a trial against the Australian Barbarians.
"At this stage it hasn't responded to treatment," coach Richard Graham said.
"We're being conservative in our management of Willie given that the season runs through to July.
"Coincidentally a group of leading foot specialists were in Perth for a conference this week and we were able to chat to them about it and will continue to manage it as instructed."
Ripia's injury blow puts utility back O'Connor, 20, into a head-to-head playmaking duel with close friend and Wallabies teammate Cooper on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium, and sees Cameron Shepherd move to fullback.
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"I'm very comfortable with James moving into that role," said Graham.
"He played in that position a number of times last season and more recently in the trial matches so were confident he'll do a good job for us."
Force skipper Nathan Sharpe was named in the second-row as expected despite undergoing surgery just four weeks ago to repair a hernia.
Test No.8 Ben McCalman has beaten Sam Wykes to the other lock spot, allowing Graham to play his menacing back-row combination of David Pocock, Richard Brown and Matt Hodgson.
Western Force: Cameron Shepherd, Nick Cummins, Mitch Inman, Gene Fairbanks, David Smith, James O'Connor, Brett Sheehan; Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Ben McCalman, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Tim Fairbrother, Ben Whittaker, Pek Cowan. Res: Nathan Charles, Kieran Longbottom, Sam Wykes, Tevita Metuisela, James Stannard, Alfie Mafi, Rory Sidey.
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