League: History on visitors' side in Hamilton

The Warriors will look to be defensively strong around the ruck in their clash with Parramatta tomorrow night.

The Eels made plenty of runs from dummy half in their loss to Newcastle last weekend, with hooker and former Warrior PJ Marsh just one of a number of players involved.

The Warriors were expecting more of the same from Parramatta in Hamilton, five-eighth Jerome Ropati said yesterday.

"If you look at their stats last week, they ran from dummy half 44 times and we ran about 18," he said.

"So I think they'll be attacking from dummy half quite a bit."

Marsh, who was among the Eels' best in their 25-6 defeat to the Knights, will start on the bench at Waikato Stadium, making way for the return of Mark Riddell from an ankle injury.

Like the Warriors in their 22-16 loss to Melbourne last Sunday, Parramatta made too many mistakes against Newcastle.

But Ropati predicted the Eels would come out "all guns blazing" at a ground where they beat the Warriors 28-18 last season.

The west Sydney club will have history on their side in what for them is a "home" fixture.

The Warriors have not won in New Zealand outside of Auckland in nine previous attempts, their best result being a 24-24 draw against the Bulldogs in Wellington in 2001.

The eight other contests - against opponents that have also included Canberra, Wests Tigers and Balmain - have all ended in defeat.

Ropati believed it was a case of getting mental preparation right rather than any hoodoo.

He said the Warriors, while technically playing "away", could also bank on plenty of support from fans in the stands.

Meanwhile, Ropati was rapt to be back in his preferred position after having operated mainly in the centres last season.

He was also used as fullback cover for an injured Brent Webb, and occupied that role for his only test cap, against Australia in Brisbane last April.

His last appearance at five-eighth was in the round-nine match against Cronulla in Perth in May.

Ropati has been handed the No 6 jersey because of the unavailability of first-choice Sione Faumuina, who is starting a two-week ban for a careless high tackle against the Storm.

"It's going to take a bit of time to adjust my game from centre, but I'm pretty excited," Ropati said.

"Six is more of a complicated role and I'm not going to push things this week.

"I'm just going back to the basics and getting familiar with the role again."

Ropati had no complaints about having to play second fiddle to Faumuina, a converted second-rower.

Against Parramatta, he would focus on helping to lift the Warriors off minus four on the points table, rather than pressing his claims as a five-eighth.

"Sione has played very well in the trials and in the last game," he said.

"I guess having a chance to play five-eighth, I'm basically looking to help the team to a win."

However, Ropati, 21, still saw five-eighth as his primary position further down the track.

"I'm kind of enjoying both positions, centre and five-eighth, but yes, long term I would like to see myself there."
ONE-CLUB WONDERS

The salary cap keeps players on the move in the NRL these days but here's a list of players who've resisted the pull - or push - of the dollar:

All-time appearances

328 - Andrew Ettingshausen, Cronulla Sharks 1983-2000

Recent

301 - Luke Ricketson, Sydney Roosters 1991-2005 (retired)

294 - Jason Crokerm, Canberra Raiders 1991-2006

235 - Darren Lockyer, Brisbane Broncos 1995-2006

232 - David Peachey, Cronulla Sharks 1994-2005 (retired)

290 - Steve Menzies, Manly Sea Eagles 1993-2006*

220 - Hazem El Masri, Canterbury Bulldogs 1996-2006

226 - Andrew Johns, Newcastle Knights 1993-2006

216 - Simon Woolford, Canberra Raiders 1994-2006

200 - Craig Gower, Penrith Panthers 1996-2006

169 - Nathan Hindmarsh, Parramatta Eels 1998-2006

* 2000-02 with Northern Eagles

- NZPA