League: Ropati comes through as Warriors pile on the points

Warriors centre Jerome Ropati breathed a sigh of relief when the whistle sounded at Whangarei's Toll Stadium last night.

The 27-year-old spent the last 10 months sidelined after seriously injuring his knee against St George Illawarra last season but made his comeback for the Warriors in their final pre-season match against the touring Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles.

Named skipper for the match, Ropati led the side to a 68-10 drubbing over the Queensland Cup side and signalled he's set to enter his 10th NRL season fighting fit.

"For me mentally, this was a great hit-out,'' Ropati said. "It has put me in a good mindset to hopefully play in round one. Ten months is a long time. I was a bit rusty but I'm pleased with my fitness.

"My knee held up pretty well. I started to feel it after some heavy tackling but it was fine.''

While the Sunshine Coast weren't up to the standard of NRL sides, Ropati said their size and structure provided a good test for the Warriors who face Manly in a grand final rematch in round one of the NRL at Eden Park on March 4.

It took the Warriors only six minutes to begin their romp over the tourists, with prop Ben Matulino running in the first of 13 tries.

Stamping his mark on the game, Ropati helped set up the Warriors' second try, sending big winger Ivan Penehe into score the first of his two tries, and scoring one of his own in the second half.

Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell, who penned a new Warriors deal during the week, dodged four defenders before offloading to Ropati in a show of strength. The 20-year-old rugby union covert has improved in each of the Warriors three pre-season hitouts, and impressed again tonight with his pace and power fending off tacklers and gaining huge metres.

After playing for the Auckland Vulcans last week, centre Krisnan Inu had a strong presence in the second half after a quiet first spell, scoring two tries and landing four conversions after he took over the kicking duties from Kevin Locke.

With regular props Jacob Lillyman and Sam Rapira out with a bicep and shoulder injury respectively, coach Brian McClennan looked to Matulino and Russell Packer to hold the fort. They did that job well, with Matulino adding another try to his first. McClennan later said the pair along with Sione Lousi would be in the mix for round one.

Sunshine Coast struggled to penetrate the Warriors' defensive line, although skipper Todd Henry was a standout for the visitors, making several breaks and positioning his side well to send Kane Richards over in the first half. Their only other try came late in the match, when Campbell Stewart scored when the Warriors relaxed their otherwise relentless defence.

Apart from a handful of errors, it was a clinical display from a well-drilled Warriors outfit.

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. "Obviously the big one for us was Jerome Ropati, having not played for 10 months. For him to make a good comeback is great.''

The squad will now concentrate on their round one clash with Manly, who succumbed 26-12 to Leeds in a heated World Club Challenge encounter at Headingley this weekend.

"Although Manly lost overnight, they will be back to their best for the opener. They are the benchmark team in the NRL,'' McClennan said.

- Michelle Curran of the Northern Advocate