Peter Ropati

Peter Ropati is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer and commentator who played as a professional for Leigh.

Peter Ropati

Personal information
Born	New Zealand
Playing information
Position	Prop
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P Otahuhu Te Atatu 1989–90 Leigh 83 19 0 0 76 1991 Mangere East Total 83 19 0 0 76 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1986–91 Auckland
Source: ^[1]

Ropati is from a large rugby league family that includes brothers Joe, Iva, Tea and Romi.

Playing career

Ropati began playing for the Otahuhu Leopards in the Auckland Rugby League competition.^[2] He made the Auckland side in 1986 and was selected for the New Zealand XIII in 1987.

In 1988 Ropati was part of the Te Atatu Roosters side that won the Fox Memorial grand final for the first time. He moved to England in 1989, playing for the Leigh Centurions.

In 1991 Ropati returned to New Zealand for his brother Tea's wedding. On the 29 June he played alongside four of his brothers, Joe, John, Tea and Iva Ropati, for the Mangere East Hawks.^[3] It was the only time all five brothers played in the same team.

Later years

Ropati later became a rugby league commentator and fronted Sky Network Television's rugby league coverage for 15 years before being removed in 2010.^[4]

References

1. RLP
2. Otahuhu Rovers Rugby League Football and Sports Club Inc 2010-06-05 at the Wayback Machine aucklandleague.co.nz
3. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1991 New Zealand Rugby League, 1991. p.18
4. Kilgallon, Steve (7 February 2010). "Sky Sport gives veteran commentator the boot". The Sunday Star-Times. Retrieved 2 November 2011.