22 Aug 2013

Ropati back for Warriors

6:39 am on 22 August 2013

The Warriors veteran Jerome Ropati will play his first National Rugby League match in more than three months after being named in the side for Saturday's match against the Gold Coast Titans on the Gold Coast.

The 140-game veteran has been named on the right wing, replacing Ngani Laumape, in one of several changes in the wake of the last round loss to Penrith.

After being promoted to start on game day, prop Suaia Matagi is now named in the run-on side for his ninth outing while the back row combination has been altered.

Elijah Taylor moves from loose forward to start in the second row, Todd Lowrie will wear the No 13 jersey and Feleti Mateo is on the interchange alongside Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Dominique Peyroux and Laumape.

Dane Nielsen is named in the centres despite before being forced off with an ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to Penrith and could yet be a late withdrawal.

The Warriors are currently 13th in the competition, but still only two points outside the top-eight playoff spots.