The pieces to the Western Force puzzle are starting to fall into place, with Richard Graham confirmed as John Mitchell's successor and Hurricanes five-eighth Willie Ripia almost certain to join the Perth-based franchise for the 2011 Super 15 season.

Graham, a skills coach at the Wallabies who doubles as an assistant at the Force, is to succeed Mitchell as head coach after the 2011 Rugby World Cup on a three-year deal.

Ripia has been frustrated by a lack of opportunities behind Aaron Cruden at the Hurricanes and will sign with the Force as their emerging foreign player if the Australian Rugby Union gives the go-ahead.

"The ARU needs to make an assessment that his ability is such that he could represent Australia if he stays the three years and qualifies via residency," Force chief executive Vern Reid said of the 24-year-old on Friday.

"We've spent the last two days talking to Willie and showing him around.

"He seemed to enjoy being here.

"He played very well the last three weeks for New Zealand Maori against England and Ireland.

"So he's very keen to be part of this and clearly he would be a good solution for our number 10 spot."

The Force have been unable to find a long-term five-eighth since Matt Giteau left the club at the end of 2009.

Former Springbok Andre Pretorius was signed up for the 2010 campaign but failed to play a game due to a hamstring injury, while efforts to lure Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper were thwarted by the Reds.

In other player movements, halfback James Stannard could return to the Force as back-up to Brett Sheehan in the wake of Justin Turner's serious knee injury, which could rule the 20-year-old out of action for up to 12 months.

Meanwhile, Graham scoffed at talk his transition into the head coaching role at the Force could become an awkward process.

The 37-year-old former Queensland Reds fullback and Australian sevens captain will serve another season as an assistant to Mitchell, who announced he would not seek a new contract midway through this year's injury-hit Super 14 campaign which saw the Force finish 13th.

"John was very supportive throughout the process (of the club finding his successor) and endorsed me during the process," Graham said.

"So our relationship's very strong and I can see no reason going forward why that won't continue.

"He's been very supportive, he's given me increased responsibility throughout this season and I would see us continuing along that same path next year.

"I don't think there'll be a need for a great deal of change.

"John's involved me in everything to date and going forward that'll be the same.

"I would see certainly in terms of planning and work during the week I might have an increased role but certainly John will still be running the team."

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