sporta.co.nz
Incumbent New Zealand Warriors five-eighth Jerome Ropati believes the Sydney Roosters will try and exploit his side's right-hand defence in their Sunday afternoon clash at Aussie Stadium.
The Warriors came within inches of dispatching the Brisbane Broncos at Ericsson Stadium last week and Ropati believes a number of defensive lapses on the right edge proved to be the home side's downfall.
"I don't think we went wrong in too many areas. I think they [the Broncos] just had classy players who knew how to win the game at a crucial time," he said.
"Our right side defence was a bit weak and I was on that side so we will be looking to fix that up this week.
"There's no doubt the Roosters will be looking to exploit that."
Ropati has become a regular first-grader for the Warriors in the last two seasons and he has been used in a number of different positions over the course of his short career.
The utility back, who admits his preferred position is in the centres, says he is still coming to terms with his latest role at five-eighth.
"At number six I am still trying to get familiar with it and still trying to get back to playing a basic six game," said Ropati.
"It's going to take me a while to be honest."
Ropati also admits that the kicking-game of a five-eighth, an area the Warriors have struggled with in 2006, is not one that sits comfortably on his shoulders.
"I guess my goals really are to do the basics well, attack well, defend well and pass the ball properly," he said.
"The kicking game is one that doesn't really come as naturally to me as it does to other number sixes.
"In training I can kick the ball well so I guess through experience and more games at number six I will be able to improve in that area."
Warriors head coach Ivan Cleary is also closely monitoring Ropati's progress at five-eighth and he believes the young Kiwis representative is improving with each passing week.
"He's still coming to grips with playing the position and it's not an easy position," said Cleary.
"As I've said before, we've got young halves and they are both finding their way.
"It's not easy coming up against the best five-eight in the world and that's what Jerome came up against last week.
"He should take a lot out of that game that he matched it with a high quality opposition with some of the best players going around."
Incumbent New Zealand Warriors five-eighth Jerome Ropati believes the Sydney Roosters will try and exploit his side's right-hand defence in their Sunday afternoon clash at Aussie Stadium.
The Warriors came within inches of dispatching the Brisbane Broncos at Ericsson Stadium last week and Ropati believes a number of defensive lapses on the right edge proved to be the home side's downfall.
"I don't think we went wrong in too many areas. I think they [the Broncos] just had classy players who knew how to win the game at a crucial time," he said.
"Our right side defence was a bit weak and I was on that side so we will be looking to fix that up this week.
"There's no doubt the Roosters will be looking to exploit that."
Ropati has become a regular first-grader for the Warriors in the last two seasons and he has been used in a number of different positions over the course of his short career.
The utility back, who admits his preferred position is in the centres, says he is still coming to terms with his latest role at five-eighth.
"At number six I am still trying to get familiar with it and still trying to get back to playing a basic six game," said Ropati.
"It's going to take me a while to be honest."
Ropati also admits that the kicking-game of a five-eighth, an area the Warriors have struggled with in 2006, is not one that sits comfortably on his shoulders.
"I guess my goals really are to do the basics well, attack well, defend well and pass the ball properly," he said.
"The kicking game is one that doesn't really come as naturally to me as it does to other number sixes.
"In training I can kick the ball well so I guess through experience and more games at number six I will be able to improve in that area."
Warriors head coach Ivan Cleary is also closely monitoring Ropati's progress at five-eighth and he believes the young Kiwis representative is improving with each passing week.
"He's still coming to grips with playing the position and it's not an easy position," said Cleary.
"As I've said before, we've got young halves and they are both finding their way.
"It's not easy coming up against the best five-eight in the world and that's what Jerome came up against last week.
"He should take a lot out of that game that he matched it with a high quality opposition with some of the best players going around."
