By Ross McNaughton
Experienced Warriors centre Jerome Ropati has announced his retirement.
The 29-year-old will see out the year as a club ambassador, because after his latest injury setback, the former Kiwi decided his body had had enough.
And it's days like today at Mt Smart that Ropati says he will miss the most – "just everyday training with the boys".
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His teammates say they'll miss him, none more than fellow centre Konrad Hurrell.
"We're pretty sad, we're pretty down about it," Hurrell says. "Jerome has been a bit part of my footy here in New Zealand. Being a young kid, looking up to him."
Ropati made his Warriors debut in 2003 and in his 12th season at Mt Smart his hunger for the game remains strong. But after battling back from serious knee injuries, the broken jaw he suffered in March convinced him his time was up.
"History tells me in the last three years, the body just can't handle it."
It's something Warriors coach Andrew McFadden can relate to – his own NRL career was ended by injury at just 26.
"It's probably the right choice for him. But again, it's a sad day for the club because he's been such a great servant of it over the years," he says.
"It's important that we pay tribute to that this weekend."
Captain Simon Mannering says it's "tough to see a friend finish up".
"But still happy for Jerome that he called it on his terms. I know a lot of guys would have given up with the injuries and stuff he's been through."
The Warriors will also be paying tribute to Mannering this Sunday, who notches up his 200th game for the club when they take on the Newcastle Knights.
Ropati made 145 appearances for the Warriors and played 11 Tests for the Kiwis, including the 2008 Rugby League World Cup win.
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source: newshub archive
