The Western Force have ensured they won't run short of playmakers again this Super Rugby season by signing New Zealander Sam Christie as a fourth option at five-eighth. Photo / Getty Images.
The Western Force have ensured they won't run short of playmakers again this Super Rugby season by signing New Zealander Sam Christie as a fourth option at five-eighth. Photo / Getty Images.
The Western Force have ensured they won't run short of playmakers again this Super Rugby season by signing New Zealander Sam Christie as a fourth option at five-eighth.
The 26-year-old Christie is a former New Zealand schoolboys representative who has had seven years with the Waikato provincial team and hewas added to the Force's extended squad after training in Perth for over a month.
He joins a list of five-eighths at the Force which also includes former Cheetahs and Junior Springboks star Sias Ebersohn, former Wallaby Sam Norton-Knight and Australian Under 20 representative Kyle Godwin.
Injuries and the pre-season axing of Kiwi Willie Ripia left the Perth-based team struggling for playmakers last season but new coach Michael Foley is happy that won't happen again.
"Being such a pivotal position, we wanted to ensure we had depth at fly-half this season," Foley said.
"We've now got four quality options at '10' - as well as the ability to cover a number of other positions - through the retention of Kyle Godwin and the recruitment of Sias Ebersohn, Sam Norton-Knight and now Sam Christie.
"Sam's form with Waikato was impressive during the ITM Cup, including a strong showing in their Ranfurly Shield win over Taranaki.
"He's a confident, attacking player. He's strong under pressure, he's got an accurate passing game and he'll be pushing hard for game time this season."
"I've been working hard for a number of years to make it into Super Rugby and to have this opportunity is a really exciting step," he said.
"I like the running style of rugby and the Force is going to bring a great style of rugby this year.
"We've got some very sharp backs and a versatile forward pack and we've got a chance to play some good attacking rugby which I'm really excited about."
