Broncs in Dunners.

[ozbash]

Jerome Ropati will play his first game in 10 months and Todd Lowrie his first for his new club when the Vodafone Warriors take on Brisbane in Saturday night’s historic NRL trial at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin (7.30pm kick-off). Photo: Photosport.
Ropati has been sidelined since having his 2012 campaign ended by another knee injury in the club’s 10th-round encounter with the Sydney Roosters in Auckland last May.
The 28-year-old 11-season veteran has been named on the bench for his planned return in the Vodafone Warriors’ final trial before they open their 2013 programme against Parramatta on Saturday, March 9. A weeks later they stage their blockbuster first home game of the season – ED3N – THE RISING – against the Sydney Roosters at Eden Park (March 16).
Lowrie missed last weekend’s trial against Hamilton when he returned home after his grandfather passed away. He’ll line up at loose forward in his first outing for the Vodafone Warriors after joining the club from Melbourne.
Also returning are Sam and Steve Rapira who were ruled out of the Hamilton hit-out after originally being named.
Vodafone Warriors head coach Matthew Elliott was especially pleased the way had been cleared for Ropati to make his comeback.
“It has been another long battle back from injury for Jerome and we’ve all admired the way he has gone about it,” he said.
“He knows better than anyone else what it’s like when you go through setbacks of the type he has endured. He’s a quality player and person, one who’s so important to our club and our team.
“We’re all looking forward to having him back. He has done the work and there’s no doubt he deserves a change of luck.”
With 2012 premiership winner Lowrie in the side, Feleti Mateo is named in the second row with captain Simon Mannering. Lowrie’s inclusion is the only change to the starting combination Elliott used against the Panthers.
Saturday night’s match is the first experience Dunedin has had of NRL football and it will also be the first time the Vodafone Warriors play in a covered stadium in New Zealand.
“We’re absolutely thrilled about the chance to head south to Dunedin,” said Elliott.
“Taking the Vodafone Warriors to other areas in the country is hugely beneficial for all concerned and we couldn’t be happier about spending time in Dunedin.
“We’re certainly hoping people from all parts of the South Island will come along to be part of what will be a special night for rugby league.”
After spending Tuesday at the Titirangi Golf Club at the club’s annual charity golf day, the Vodafone Warriors have a jammed day’s training today (Wednesday) before flying to Dunedin on Thursday afternoon.
VODAFONE WARRIORS v BRISBANE BRONCOS
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
7.30pm, Saturday, February 23
Referees: Ashley Klein and Phil Haines
VODAFONE WARRIORS
22 KEVIN LOCKE
2 BILL TUPOU
3 DANE NIELSEN
4 KONRAD HURRELL
25 MANU VATUVEI
6 THOMAS LEULUAI
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
8 JACOB LILLYMAN
14 ELIJAH TAYLOR
10 BEN MATULINO
11 FELETI MATEO
12 SIMON MANNERING (c)
16 TODD LOWRIE
Interchange:
1 GLEN FISIIAHI
5 CHARLIE GUBB
15 SAM RAPIRA
17 CARLOS TUIMAVAVE
18 ALEHANA MARA
21 JEROME ROPATI
23 SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO
24 STEVE RAPIRA

http://www.warriors.co.nz/news-display/Ropati returns for Dunedin trial/68623

 

[Evil_Mush]

At least Tupou is paired up with Nielsen I guess. Disappointed not to see the new guy Laumape in action on the wing though, after positive reports on the weekend.

Hopefully Ropati has a good game, but I'm probably gonna be holding my breath each tackle he's involved in to see if he comes away from it limping or not.

 

[vvvrulz]

Taylor at hooker again?
For goodness sake.

 

[jamaman]

lets see if Elliot has changed much...

 

[ozenzud]

Yer, I'm trying to work out what is going on here with hooker. Its a specialist position. We have only two specialists in the squad, Friend and Mara.

We have a few halves options in Godinet, Carlos, Thomas and Shaun. Godinet had a few runs at hooker the season before last if I recall correctly.

The advantage of Taylor is obvious. A bloke who can do 30-40 tackles in the middle. Friend is a tackle legend. Thomas is a good defender as well. But he is obviously being lined up for 5/8.

Is this Elliot trying to find a spot for Taylor? He isn't that big, but bigger than the average hooker. He has got reasonable lateral movement and reasonably mobile. His only advantage right now is defence. On attack, he is a liability. Ivan tried Brown in this type of role, but it never seemed to come off. Brown was an attacking player more than a defender however.

Mara must be well out of favour?

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

With Lowrie and Ropati in the mix I think we will see a better improvement in our defensive pattern across the park. The middle is fine just need to strengthen our known WEAK side in which Elliot has reflected with the inclusion of the above players

Hooker has to be Mara (He has waited his time, plus Friend and Taylor are not in our future plans if the rumours are true regarding Taylor)

Like I said last year. We need some MARA love and he's the youngest specialist we have

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Good to see the Rapira boys back. Really wanna see Sam put the injuries behind him and recapture some of his old form.

Hopefully Mara plays majority of the game in the hooking role and also I guess we'll see if Charlie Gubbcan get Lousis bench spot for round 1.

 

[MKEB...]

With Lowrie and Ropati in the mix I think we will see a better improvement in our defensive pattern across the park. The middle is fine just need to strengthen our known WEAK side in which Elliot has reflected with the inclusion of the above players

Hooker has to be Mara (He has waited his time, plus Friend and Taylor are not in our future plans if the rumours are true regarding Taylor)

Like I said last year. We need some MARA love and he's the youngest specialist we have

Really? If defensive patterns include constantly leaving your winger to face 2 on 1s, or missing tackles like theres no tomorrow, then I guess that can be construed as an improvement.

 

[playdaball]

Really? If defensive patterns include constantly leaving your winger to face 2 on 1s, or missing tackles like theres no tomorrow, then I guess that can be construed as an improvement.

The above is an improvement on 2012!

 

[vvvrulz]

Really? If defensive patterns include constantly leaving your winger to face 2 on 1s, or missing tackles like theres no tomorrow, then I guess that can be construed as an improvement.

Ropati at centre and Fish at the back were our two worst defenders early last year.

 

[MKEB...]

The above is an improvement on 2012!

we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[Blair]

So a new coach is choosing Tupou, that makes four coaches in a row picking him consistently for first grade*.

He must be better than we think, or his attitude at training is spot on (compared, perhaps, with others).

Gotta be something about him that impresses the coach. Sadly, I don't see much of it on the field.

* including interim Iro.

 

[jamaman]

So a new coach is choosing Tupou, that makes four coaches in a row picking him consistently for first grade*.

He must be better than we think, or his attitude at training is spot on (compared, perhaps, with others).

Gotta be something about him that impresses the coach. Sadly, I don't see much of it on the field.

* including interim Iro.

maybe he has good coffee making skills!:lol:

 

[broncos2010]

Should be a good game but I must say our outside backs on paper looking shocking such little experience and class besides hodges.

Game will probably be won in the forwards I am guessing should be a good warm up for both teams but pretty much both running out strongest teams.

 

[Illiterate]

If mara is out I hope godinet and ropatie get to spend some decent time at hooker in this game.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Should be a good game but I must say our outside backs on paper looking shocking such little experience and class besides hodges.

Game will probably be won in the forwards I am guessing should be a good warm up for both teams but pretty much both running out strongest teams.

I think this one will be won in the halves. It's up to either Wallace/prince or Johnson/Leuleuai

 

[Rebel]

If mara is out I hope godinet and ropatie get to spend some decent time at hooker in this game.

Not sure if srs...

 

[JTR]

For those in Aus, game is on Fox Sports 3 tonight, live... :crazy:

 

[Rich102]

I am very surprised that the TAB are taking bets on this trial match.

 

[spear tackle]

Really looking forward to tonight even got my dip and packet of chips ready, I just hope Ropati doesn't leave on a stretcher(or anyone for that matter).