Education
Ropati is of Samoan descent and was educated at Street Paul"s College, a school noted for its rugby league teams.
Ropati is of Samoan descent and was educated at Street Paul"s College, a school noted for its rugby league teams.
His position of choice is at Centre but can also play Fullback and Five-Eighth. Ropati recently signed a one-year contract with his current club the New Zealand warriors until the end of 2013, which will see him become the second longest serving player of the club with eleven seasons. His junior club was the Marist Saints and he also played for the Marist Richmond Brothers in the Bartercard Cup.
lieutenant was his 2003 season in the Bartercard Cup that shot him to prominence, as he enjoyed a stellar season and led the club to the grand final.
Ironically he missed the grand final, which the Brothers lost, because he was making his NRL debut for the He is no relation to the famous Ropati rugby league family. He made his first grade debut for the in Round 25 of the 2003 season against the Sydney Roosters.
Since then he has played games at Fullback, Wing and Centre, as well as his preferred position of Five Eighth. When not selected for the first grade side he has represented the Auckland Lions in both the Bartercard Cup and NSWRL Premier League.
He was one of four players who played in every game for the in 2007.
In 2009 he extended his career until to 2012 season, meaning that he will spend over ten years of his career at the His 2011 season was ruined by injury as he tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament in Round 3. He therefore had to watch his side play in the 2011 NRL grand final from the sideline. In 2002 Ropati was named captain of the Junior Kiwis squad which played two games against touring Australian sides.
He made his debut for the New Zealand Kiwis in 2005 against Australia and was involved in the 2006 Tri Nations.
He scored a try in the World Cup Final.
Ropati was a member of the World Cup-winning New Zealand team in 2008. He was a member of the 2008 World Cup winning Kiwis team, that defeated Australia in the Final.