General Trial 3: Warriors Vs Broncos In Dunedin Saturday 23rd 7:30pm

[mt.wellington]

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Ropati returns for Dunedin trial

Richard Becht

Tuesday 19 February 2013 11:18 PM

Jerome Ropati (pictured) 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 PITA GODINET (late replacement for Alehana Mara, groin injury)
21 JEROME ROPATI
23 SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO
24 STEVE RAPIRA
HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT

BRISBANE BRONCOS
1 Josh Hoffman
2 Delroy Berryman
3 Justin Hodges
4 Jordan Kahu
5 Lachlan Maranta
6 Corey Norman
7 Peter Wallace
8 Ben Hannant
9 Andrew McCullough
10 Josh McGuire
11 Alex Glenn ©
12 Matt Gillett
13 Corey Parker

Interchange:
14 Scott Prince
15 Sam Thaiday
16 Ben Hunt
17 David Stagg
18 Mitchell Dodds
19 Scott Anderson
20 Jack Reed
21 Joe Bond
HEAD COACH: Anthony Griffen

DUNEDIN PROGRAMME

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Airport Arrival:
The Vodafone Warriors’ travelling party of football department, players and staff is due to land at Dunedin Airport at 1.10pm on Air New Zealand. Travelling with the team on a grabaseat-themed flight will be a large group of Vodafone Warriors members and fans.

Appearances:

4.30pm-5.30pm:
Canterbury of New Zealand Dunedin
210 George Street
Dunedin

6.00pm-6.45pm:
Lion Red Bar Visit – The Baaa Sports Bar
1 Great King Street
Dunedin

7.00pm-7.45pm:
Lion Red Bar Visit – Starters
157 Frederick Street
Dunedin

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22

School Visits:
10.00am-11.00am
Brockville School and Abbotsford School
12.00pm-1.00pm
Bradford School and Green Island School
2.00pm-3.00pm
Kaikorai Valley College and Balaclava School

Training Session:
10.00am-11.00am:
The Vodafone Warriors will have a field session at Carisbrook followed by a recovery session at Moana Pool.

In-Store Promotion:
4.00pm-5.00pm
Vodafone
267 George Street
Dunedin

Hospital Visit:
5.10pm-6.00pm:
Dunedin Hospital
Great King Street
Dunedin

Highlanders v Chiefs, Forsyth Barr Stadium:
7.15pm-9.30pm
Vodafone Warriors head coach Matthew Elliott, football staff, players and club management will attend the Super 15 rugby union match between the Highlanders and the Chiefs.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Appearances:
9.30am-10.30am:
Rebel Sports
185 Crawford Street
Dunedin
11.00am-12.00pm:
dtr
155 King Edward Street
South Dunedin

Community Carnival:
12.30pm-2.30pm:
Community Roots Carnival
University Oval
12.45pm-1.15pm: The Vodafone Warriors’ playing squad and staff will
attend the clinic and mix with kids involved.

VODAFONE WARRIORS V BRISBANE, FORSYTH BARR STADIUM:
6.30pm Gates open
7.30pm Vodafone Warriors v Brisbane Broncos
9.10pm Game finishes (players to sign autographs)

 

[mode81]

Congrats to Jerome on another long recovery he deserves some respite from endless rehab, stoked for the Rapira bros and very excited to see what Lowrie can bring to our team defensively. I'm sure Todd Lowrie would have been spitting tacks at how easily Penrith scored against us on the weekend, quite a few soft tries, hopefully Lowrie can rectify a few areas not saying he's going to be our defensive saviour but I am expecting a much better defensive effort from the team all round.

 

[mt.wellington]

Good to see my main man Ropati in there. Also good to welcome back the Raipra's and Lowrie but no real surprises there.

Main surprise has really been the players that havent made the team. DP has been left behind as has Godinet, Taukeiaho and Palavi. Sad not to see Laumape in there.

Redemption time for Tupou...

 

[Sebastian]

In my opinion Bill can't do anything to redeem himself. Because even if he has a safe game. I would have rather seen what Laumape could have done against a Broncos outfit. And with a long term view. Bill can't be the answer.

Viewing this team makes me think Fish has the inside running for the potential spot. Fair enough, we'd all like to see Fish finally hold a position down. But Laumape showed enough that waranted another selection.

ME may have thought overall experience wise. Bill was the safer option, especially if he is truly gunning for a trial win. Rather than the long term benefit of the team. So i can see the sense. I just would have found it hard to put Bill in the team after last week. And in our last trial i would have found it even harder not to be thinking of another long term solution for our outside backs.

 

[mt.wellington]

Does that line up mean that Danger will be babysitting Tupou?

See Elliot hasnt given up on Taylor at 9...

 

[Miket12]

Pleased JRo will get some time to show if he has the form to be in the 17 come the first round - and to show how his body will handle his first game for a very long time.

The only two places I'm not that keen on is Taylor starting a hooker and Toslow on the wing ahead of either the Flying Fish or Laumape.

Looking forward to see how Lowrie goes.

 

[BA-AD Luck]

No Sam Lousi either. Hopefully, it is because he has shown ME what he wants to see and has proven his worth. I was impressed with his trial in Hamilton. Gutted to see Tupou on the wing starting to be honest, but as it is a trial, I can allow this one time. But if he is named there in two weeks after having an average performance this week, I will be angry! Great to have Ropati back in the side, and I am pleased that he is on the bench and not starting. Gutted about Godinet not being there, I'm always excited watching him play.

A team selection that I can support. It's been a very long time!

 

[Raurimu Massive]

No Sam Lousi either. Hopefully, it is because he has shown ME what he wants to see and has proven his worth.

Injured bro: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/8323271/Lousi-sidelined-as-Warriors-injury-woes-grow

 

[Gizzyfan]

I like this team, probably only changes for Parramatta will be probably Fisiahi for Tupou and less likely Ropati for Hurrell. I think Ropati will be bench. However despite higher than wanted injury toll if they get the basics right ill be hard to stop. It is a powerful lineup.

 

[Ranger]

Pretty close to the Broncos full strength side named, Prince and Thaiday would probably start R1.
1 Josh Hoffman 2 Delroy Berryman 3 Justin Hodges 4 Jordan Kahu 5 Lachlan Maranta 6 Corey Norman 7 Peter Wallace
8 Ben Hannant 9 Andrew McCullough 10 Josh McGuire 11 Alex Glenn © 12 Matt Gillett 13 Corey Parker
Interchange
14 Scott Prince 15 Sam Thaiday 16 Ben Hunt 17 David Stagg 18 Mitchell Dodds 19 Scott Anderson 20 Jack Reed 21 Joe Bond

 

[Danpatmac]

Bill Tupou would have to shoot his girlfriend and beat her skull with a cricket bat to not get picked, or so it would seem.

 

[Raurimu Massive]

Bill Tupou would have to shoot his girlfriend and beat her skull with a cricket bat to not get picked, or so it would seem.

Not even losing both of his legs would be enough to get him dropped...

 

[Gizzyfan]

No fan of tupou but he is incumbent and deserved another go, fish will get his chance on Saturday

 

[lolcaeks]

Hmmm good line ups from both teams

Look like this will be a good yard stick on how we are progressing after two disappointing games to start off

hoping the cobwebs have been blown out

 

[Rizzah]

Solid line ups.. Can't wait! I do hope we get a good crowd turn up!
Be interesting to see how the surface holds up after the Highlanders vs Chiefs game the night before.

Anyone coming down for this?

 

[ramraider78]

Line up looks good not far off the team for round 1, hoping Gubb and Ikahifohifo get some decent minutes on the field.

 

[Apus]

Hopefully we see far less Tupou game time this week. I don't much care for Tupou trying to redeem himself, but I do care about Fish getting ample opportunity to show why Tupou should be (at best) Vulcanised.

Interesting for me to see no Laumape or Peyroux. Something we should read into, or just trying out new combos?

 

[Spence]

After what Elliot said about Laumape I'm surprised he's been left out. I guess Vatuvei is locked in and it's between Tupou and Fisiiahi for a wing spot now? Unless they get funky and try Ropati there.

 

[WellingtonOrca]

I guess Laumape is still seen as an U20s player, so this week he'll be back with that team to get some game time before round 1.

I don't get what's going on with the Jersey numbers though - do they have special significance for the likes of Manu/Locke? Or is it a way of highlighting certain players so they stand out more for the coaches evaluation?

 

[mt.wellington]

I guess Laumape is still seen as an U20s player, so this week he'll be back with that team to get some game time before round 1.

I don't get what's going on with the Jersey numbers though - do they have special significance for the likes of Manu/Locke? Or is it a way of highlighting certain players so they stand out more for the coaches evaluation?

Somebody posted on the other Trials thread that the players were just wearing the jerseys that fit them...