Jerome Ropati

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Jerome Ropati
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Jerome Ropati playing for the New Zealand Warriors
Personal information
Full name Jerome Piper Leitu Ropati[1]
Born (1984-11-23) 23 November 1984 (age 39)
Auckland, New Zealand
Height 176 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight 94 kg (14 st 11 lb)
Playing information
Position Centre, Five-eighth, Fullback, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2003–14 NZ Warriors 145 54 0 0 216
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2005–09 New Zealand 11 10 0 0 40
Source: Rugby League Project

Jerome Ropati (born 23 November 1984 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a former professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. Ropati was a member of the World Cup-winning New Zealand team in 2008. His position of choice is at Centre but can also play Fullback and Five-Eighth. Ropati recently signed a one-year contract with his current club the New Zealand warriors until the end of 2013, which will see him become the second longest serving player of the club with eleven seasons.

Early years

Ropati is of Samoan descent and was educated at St Paul's College, a school noted for its rugby league teams. His junior club was the Marist Saints and he also played for the Marist Richmond Brothers in the Bartercard Cup.[2] It was his 2003 season in the Bartercard Cup that shot him to prominence, as he enjoyed a stellar season and led the club to the grand final. Ironically he missed the grand final, which the Brothers lost, because he was making his NRL debut for the Warriors.[3]

He is no relation to the famous Ropati rugby league family.[2]

Warriors

He made his first grade debut for the Warriors in Round 25 of the 2003 season against the Sydney Roosters. Since then he has played games at Fullback, Wing and Centre, as well as his preferred position of Five Eighth. When not selected for the first grade side he has represented the Auckland Lions in both the Bartercard Cup and NSWRL Premier League. He was one of four players who played in every game for the Warriors in 2007. Currently he is viewed as a centre option and has a strong partnership with winger Manu Vatuvei.

In 2009 he extended his Warriors career until to 2012 season, meaning that he will spend over ten years of his career at the Warriors.[4][5] His 2011 season was ruined by injury as he tore his ACL in Round 3.[6] He therefore had to watch his side play in the 2011 NRL grand final from the sideline.

International

In 2002 Ropati was named captain of the Junior Kiwis squad which played two games against touring Australian sides.[7]

He made his debut for the New Zealand Kiwis in 2005 against Australia and was involved in the 2006 Tri Nations. He was a member of the 2008 World Cup winning Kiwis team, that defeated Australia in the Final. He scored a try in the World Cup Final.

References

  1. ↑ ROPATI, JEROME PIPER LEITU 2005 - 2006, 2008 - 2009 - KIWI #716 nzleague.co.nz
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Ropati to become 10-year Vodafone Warrior Warriors Official Site, 29 March 2009
  6. ↑ Ropati out for the season rleague.com, 29 March 2011
  7. ↑ 2002 Junior Kiwis Season NZRL.co.nz

External links

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