But the former Waikato, Taranaki and Hurricanes first five-eighth is still anxious to get up to speed as soon as possible after a frustrating start to his Super rugby career in Western Australia.
That weight off Ripia's foot has transferred to his shoulders now one of the Western Force's main off-season acquisitions has finally taken the field, albeit in a losing cause against the Waratahs in Perth last Saturday night.
A 31-3 defeat was hardly the ideal starting point but Ripia, who has replaced another Waikato man David Hill as the Force's first choice pivot, was simply relieved to run a backline for 80 minutes.
Nobbled in the first five minutes of the Force's first trial game when a stray boot ruptured a tendon, Ripia had his feet up for a few weeks in the late summer heat before being able to return to contact training about a month ago.
So naturally his match fitness and game management has not reached optimum levels.
"It's been a while since I played the 80 so I was quite tired," he told NZPA.
"The good thing is the foot is fine, I'm more worried about the lungs at the moment."
Ripia, whose recovery pushed James O'Connor to fullback, should get another opportunity to impress at No.10 against the Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday although former Australian international midfielder Tim Horan thought he might be better suited to second five-eighth, outside the in-form Wallabies utility back.
A former New Zealand Maori representative, who pledged allegiance to Australia when signing a two-year deal with the Force, Ripia was happy to slot in anywhere - the priority was to help a backline featuring fellow ex-pat Hurricane and Taranaki teammate David Smith utilise quality ball.
"I've never seen him go so long without a try," said Ripia, who flats with the chunky wing in Subiaco.
"We've just got to get the ball amongst everyone."
After nine weeks preparing himself for his debut Ripia revealed he was surprised at the Force's effort against the Wallabies-laden Waratahs.
"It wasn't what I expected. I expected more from the team we've got," he said.
The only positive aspects of the season so far were a win against the bottom-placed Lions in Johannesburg and a draw against the Blues. Five other matches ended in defeat -- coincidentally the same record as his old team the Hurricanes.
Both are out of contention for the top six heading into round nine, though Ripia would not publicly concede defeat.
"We haven't said the season has slipped away," he said.
"We just want to go out there and play some good football for 80 minutes. That's the challenge."
Meanwhile, Ripia did not have any theories on why the Hurricanes have proved a major disappointment back home.
"With the players they have, I'm not sure why they're going the way they are.
"We're not doing too good either so I can't really comment on them."
Ripia, who helped babysit Aaron Cruden during his introduction to Super rugby last season, did back the young first five-eighth to bounce back from a difficult start to the season that had seen him benched for Daniel Kirkpatrick.
"He's a good player and if you give him time and quality ball he'll be even greater," he said.
Ripia felt Piri Weepu would make a difference once he returns from a leg injury that denied him a place on last November's Grand Slam tour.
The halfback is scheduled to return to club rugby tomorrow and should be available for the Hurricanes before the end of the month.
"It'll be a whole different set up when Piri comes back," Ripia said.
