KEY POINTS:
Jerome Ropati knows it would be "crazy" to throw him into the deep end against the Kangaroos in the Anzac test - but he'd be happy to give it crack.
After underlining his improvement in the five-eighths role with a four-try haul against the Roosters in the Warriors'
second-to-last match oflast season, he scored a try off the bench in the first Tri-Nations test against the Kangaroos - his third in two games against the Aussies.
He then started at hooker in the heartbreaking second-test loss to the Kangaroos before switching to five-eighths for the victory over the British in Christchurch.
He may have been squeezed out of the remainder of the series when coach Brian McClennan opted to pair Nigel Vagana with Stacey Jones in the halves but, with both Vagana and Jones retiring, there's no doubt Ropati would have figured in McClennan's Anzac test calculations.
He also shaped as a major figure in the Warriors' plans but a series of off-season injuries has put paid to all that.
The 22-year-old signed a three-year extension at the club in February but has been a peripheral figure since, with back and leg problems keeping him on the sidelines.
In his absence, new recruit Michael Witt has seized the five-eighths jersey and seems to be forging a solid partnership with halfback Grant Rovelli.
Ropati is philosophical about his plight.
"I'm kind of looking at it as a positive. I've had problems the last couple of years and it's time to get it right."
Ropati believes an overhaul of his biomechanics will prevent similar problems but he does admit to finding life on the sidelines tough going.
"It is more so because of the way we've started this year. But I've just got to be a bit patient right now. It's important for me to get fit at this time of the season."
He had been on track to make his return for the Auckland Lions against Newton last Sunday but he again aggravated a hamstring tear after "pushing it a bit too hard" in training.
The flare-up has set him back another couple of weeks and he is now targeting a return in round five - just five days before the Anzac test.
Benji Marshall and Souths' former Junior Kiwi Jeremy Smith appear to have the inside running on the halves slots for the match at Brisbane's suncorp Stadium but, with centre Shontayne Hape likely to miss the rest of the season with a third major knee injury and incumbent fullback Brent Webb a major doubt due to club commitments with Leeds, McClennan might be looking for a proven back.
And he won't have forgotten Ropati's impressive effort on debut in the corresponding match in 2005.
"If Bluey [McClennan] decides that he wants to chuck me in, then I'm happy to have a go," Ropati said.
"But you can't really go up against the Aussies with no game time under your belt. It's crazy, really. In saying that, if he chucks me in, I'll be happy to be there."
