11 Jan 2012

Ripia quits Force after being caught stealing

7:52 am on 11 January 2012

The former Hurricanes and Taranaki first five Willie Ripia has resigned from the Perth based Super Rugby club the Western Force, after allegedly being caught stealing from his teammates.

Ripia, who the club says has had a chronic gambling problem, was captured on CCTV taking money belonging to players in the change rooms at the Force's Mount Claremont headquarters.

Force management were considering whether to tear up Ripia's contract or suspend him when the five-eighth offered his resignation.

It's been reported that players had been complaining about money going missing for a number of months, but Ripia denied any involvement until he was shown the CCTV footage.

It's understood police were not investigating the incident as none of the players had made an official complaint.