Jerome Ropati's breathing a big sigh of relief after coming through his first game in 11 months unscathed. The Warriors centre played 70 minutes in the club's final pre-season match in Whangarei, his first appearance since sustaining a serious knee...

Warriors came through their third trial yesterday with no fresh injury concerns and the satisfaction of knowing centre Jerome Ropati had made a successful return from knee surgery in his first outing in almost a year. The Warriors were never likely to...

Coach Brian McClennan says Jerome Ropati and Krisnan Inu are likely to start in the centres in the first round of the NRL premiership, ahead of promising rookie Konrad Hurrell - and wants his team to aim for the top four. Three months after taking over...

Warriors came through their third trial today with no fresh injury concerns and the satisfaction of knowing centre Jerome Ropati had made a successful return from knee surgery in his first outing in almost a year. The Vodafone Warriors were never likely...

"We came through the game with flying colours, so that's a big positive for us. Obviously the other big one was Jerome Ropati, after not having played for close to 10 months, to come back and do some good work was fantastic," he said. Ropati was strong...

However, new coach Brian McClennan finally received some good news in Saturday night's 68-10 win over the Queensland Cup team, and was relieved to watch veteran centre Jerome Ropati make a safe return to the side after a knee injury kept him out for...

With Micheal Luck, Jacob Lillyman, Sam Rapira and Steve Rapira all injured and unavailable for round one, not adding to the injury toll was a huge relief for McClennan. "We've come through with flying colours, which is a big positive for us,'' he said.

Centre Jerome Ropati will feel like he's starting anew, complete with a mix of enthusiasm and butterflies, when he runs out for the New Zealand Warriors for their final NRL pre-season hit-out. Ropati last played almost a year ago, when he ruptured the...

"He's back and he's our No.1 centre, so that helps big time.'' McClennan said the main aim for Ropati against Sunshine Coast was to get involved and enjoy his rugby league again. "He's a strong character is Jerome, and I'm sure everything is going to...

1 centre: Jerome Ropati. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph CENTRE Jerome Ropati will feel like he's starting anew, complete with a mix of enthusiasm and butterflies, when he runs out for the New Zealand Warriors for their final NRL...

Ropati, Krisnan Inu and Ukuma Ta'ai have all been named in a 19-man squad for the Warriors final 2012 trial against the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles at Toll Stadium in Whangarei on Saturday (5:00pm). Ropati, about to enter his 10th NRL season, is in line...

Eagles, who managed just two wins last year under the coaching of former Queensland State of Origin star Adam Mogg. But new coach Dave Cordwell says his men are excited about the prospect of tangling with Kiwi international, Lewis Brown, Krisnan Inu,...

Jerome Ropati. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph KIWI centre Jerome Ropati is set to play his first rugby league match in almost 11 months when the New Zealand Warriors complete their trial program against Queensland Cup side Sunshine...

Ropati, 27, missed most of last year's NRL season after suffering a serious knee injury against St George Illawarra in round three in late March. With the club mindful of not rushing him back too soon, he sat out the Warriors' wins in their two...

Apart from Ben Matulino and Russell Packer, McClennan employed Sione Lousi and Ikahihifo in front row roles against the Rabbitohs. He said Sione Lousi would have time there again in the match against Sunshine Coast, as might Palavi, Sam Lousi, Ta'ai...

He also named Vatuvei, who came through unscathed after scoring the match-winning try for the NRL All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars in Robina last Saturday night. Among those not travelling are veterans Jerome Ropati, Micheal Luck and Jacob...

17 a season, Vatuvei looks likely to notch his 100th during the 2012 NRL season - he made his debut against Souths in 2004. The Warriors are building good depth in most positions but once again look a little thin at centre. Lewis Brown, Shaun Berrigan,...

McClennan also named Vatuvei, who came through unscathed after scoring the match-winning try for the NRL All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars in Robina on Saturday night. Among those not travelling are veterans Jerome Ropati, Micheal Luck and...

Advertisement: Story continues below Vatuvei missed that match as he was playing for the NRL All Stars, scoring the winning try against the Indigenous All Stars in Robina. Among those not travelling across the Tasman are the experienced trio of lock...