Kiwi World Cup-winning centre Jerome Ropati has signed a new three-year contract setting him up to become a rare 10-year Vodafone Warriors NRL player.
The 24-year-old, who played his 94th first-grade match for the club against Brisbane last night, follows outstanding second rower Simon Mannering (22) in committing himself to a long career at Mount Smart Stadium.
Mannering re-signed last month until the end of the 2012 NRL season and now Ropati has also extended his stay until at least 2012.
“My wish was always to stay here in Auckland,” said Ropati.
“This club means so much to me. I’ve been part of a team that has enjoyed some success after difficult times and I want to do all I can to help us become one of the most consistent in the competition.
“I’m really grateful for the support from our coaches Ivan (Cleary) and John (Ackland) as well as all the boys in the squad. We’ve made a lot of progress in the last few years and we’re all working to improve even more.”
Ropati, now with 10 tests behind him, was one of a host of outstanding contributors in the Kiwis’ stunning World Cup win against the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium last November.
Vodafone Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said Ropati’s development last year had further underlined how critical he is to the club’s future.
“Jerome has always appealed a player of special quality and he made tremendous progress in 2008,” he said.
“He had a really good season for us and has gone to another level after being involved in the Kiwis’ World Cup win. He’s an excellent example of what local players can achieve coming through our system to not only play regularly in the NRL but also become established internationals.”
Ropati, who made his Vodafone Warriors debut against the Sydney Roosters in 2003, is in line to become the 14th player to appear in 100 NRL matches for the club (Nathan Fien should become the 13th after his 99th match last night).
He is also in the top 10 all-time try scorers for the Vodafone Warriors, his touchdown against Manly last Sunday – ultimately the match-winner – was the 37th of his career.
Ropati will join an elite group by playing through with the club until the end of 2012.
Until now only Stacey Jones and Awen Guttenbeil have played 10 or more seasons in the NRL for the Vodafone Warriors; after an 11-season stint from 1995-2005, Jones is now having his 12th season after a three-year break while Guttenbeil appeared in 170 matches from 1996-2006 (11 seasons). Wairangi Koopu was in the NRL squad from 1999-2008 but didn’t play any first-grade games in 2000 giving him a total of nine seasons.
JEROME ROPATI
Born: November 23, 1984
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Position: Centre
Height: 176cm
Weight: 97kg
Junior Club: Marist Saints
NRL Debut: Vodafone Warriors v Sydney Roosters, Sydney Football Stadium, August 31, 2003
(Round 25)
Club Number: 108
NRL Career: Vodafone Warriors: 94 games, 2003-2009
NRL Points: 148 (37 tries)*
Test Career: 10 Tests for New Zealand, 2005-2009; 2008 Rugby League World Cup winner
Test Points: 40 (10 tries)
Kiwi Number: 716
Educated: St Paul’s College (Auckland)
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