NRL: Ropati confident about new combination

Krisnan Inu will start on the wing alongside skipper Simon Mannering at centre. Photo / Getty Images

Before the start of the National Rugby League season, the attacking promise on the New Zealand Warriors' left flank provided plenty of anticipation.

The established pairing of winger Manu Vatuvei and centre Jerome Ropati was being augmented by the arrival of prolific offloader Feleti Mateo operating as a ball-playing second rower.

But three matches in, it's all change for the Warriors on that side of the field.

Vatuvei lasted only a quarter-hour of the round-one defeat to Parramatta before hobbling off with a knee problem that will see him out until May.

Against premiers St George Illawarra last weekend, it was the turn of Ropati to be cut down, as he suffered an even more serious knee injury, which will require reconstructive surgery and sideline him for the rest of the year.

His replacement to partner winger Krisnan Inu in the "away" clash with Cronulla in Taupo on Sunday is skipper Simon Mannering, who has played at centre for both club and country, but whose usual position has become second rower.

Meanwhile, among a number of other changes coach Ivan Cleary has made in the wake of a winless start to the season, Mateo has been shifted to five-eighth.

Ropati said he knew of the talk about the Warriors' left edge ahead of the match against the Eels, "but we also plan injuries like this".

"Simon is back at left centre and you have Kris - they're world-class players," he said.

"There's nothing to worry about there."

Ropati was equally composed about the long road to recovery that is ahead of him after surgery in a fortnight.

"I'm feeling quite good," he said.

"I've had a couple of days to let it settle in and have a think about it.

"The rehab will be painful. I understand it's a long, arduous road, but I'm going to make sure I'm ready for next year."

Ropati, 26, is the second longest serving Warrior in the club's present squad, his 130 appearances bettered only by the 166 accrued by utility Lance Hohaia, whose disappointing early season form has seen him dropped this week.

Ropati is also the fourth player at the club in the past four years to have had anterior cruciate ligament damage.

The 11-test Kiwi follows now ex-Warriors Wade McKinnon and Brent Tate, and promising utility Elijah Taylor, who has fought back from his injury to be in line to make his first-grade debut off the bench against the Sharks.

Ropati said he intended to take his time with the rehabilitation to make sure it all went well.

He had seen other players have complications during their comebacks and he wanted to avoid that.

His studies for a sports and recreation degree at the Auckland University of Technology would go some way to occupying him while he was out of action.

He also hoped to help the Warriors out with the likes of video analysis and mentoring of young players.

Having experienced adversity at the club before, Ropati was confident of the Warriors' ability to bounce from their disappointing start.

"We've got a real enthusiastic side this week," he said.

"It's not a home game, but it's just down the line and that's going to be an advantage for us."

- NZPA