NRL: Ropati gets chance to plug defence

Jerome Ropati. Photo / Richard Robinson

Coach Matt Elliott tackles loss to Eels.

Centre Jerome Ropati has been handed the job of trying to stiffen a right-edge defence that was woefully inadequate last weekend when the Warriors take on the Dragons at Eden Park on Saturday.

The 29-year-old, who is into his 12th season, replaces Carlos Tuimavave, who suffered a broken nose in last weekend's inept 36-16 defeat to the Eels. Utility Ben Henry comes on to the bench in place of Sione Lousi, who has had a family bereavement.

Coach Matt Elliott resisted calls for Konrad Hurrell to return to the centres but Hurrell isn't really the answer right now. The 22-year-old returned to pre-season training out of shape (he put on 10kg in the off-season) and has historically struggled on defence.

Ngani Laumape was another option and Elliott could also have plumped for the likes of Simon Mannering or Henry to play in the troublesome position.

"Jerome's been pushing hard and really impressed at training," Elliott said. "The experience and calmness he brings to that right side will be important for us."

Something needs to change. The Warriors missed 38 tackles on Sunday, an unacceptably high number, with 22 committed by the right edge of Glen Fisiiahi (five missed tackles), Carlos Tuimavave (3), Jayson Bukuya (8) and Shaun Johnson (4). Four tries came down that side as the Eels took advantage.

The left edge wasn't much better, even though statistics show they missed nine tackles, with Vai Toutai matching the feats of fellow winger Semi Radradra by scoring a hat-trick.

Henry is highly rated in the club and provides cover for the outside back and forwards. He missed most of 2013 and last weekend played his first game since knee surgery when he turned out at five-eighth for the Warriors reserve grade side in the NSW Cup.

The biggest change the Warriors need to make is attitudinal. They were dominated by the Eels and, except for a brief spell leading to halftime, were never really in the game.

"The opposition competed at a higher level than us physically and that impacts across all your structures," Elliott said. "That's something we need to look at as a group. All the indicators going into the game [suggested] the boys were ready. Their whole focus and communication with each other was also at a high level. It's something we have obviously talked about and something I'm pretty dissatisfied with.

"We really felt our middle competed hard but we are not about competing. We are about playing together as a unit and making sure everyone across the park puts in the required effort to get the job done and we just didn't do that. What we have to do is play our best footy. We know if we do that we are going to have a massively successful season because I believe in these players."

The Dragons have the best record of any club against the Warriors and come into the match on a high after their 44-24 defeat of the Wests Tigers. On top of that, the Warriors have never won at Eden Park.