NRL: Ropati back to take on Manly in final replay

Warriors Jerome Ropati. Photo / NZPA

Jerome Ropati will return to the Warriors for Sunday's NRL season-opener against Manly, but the identity of the team's second centre and fullback won't be confirmed until this morning.

Rookie Konrad Hurrell appears to have the inside running over Krisnan Inu in the battle to join Ropati in the centres, while Kevin Locke and Glen Fisiiahi have duelled for the fullback jersey throughout the pre-season.

While much of the side effectively picks itself, impressive utility Ben Henry may debut off the bench.

Coach Brian McClennan was set to unveil his line-up at the team's season launch at Sky City this morning.

The Herald understands Ropati, who has played just one pre-season trial since rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in round three last season, is certain to start the grand final rematch at Eden Park.

Hugely impressive for the Junior Warriors last season, Hurrell might have done enough during this season's trials to snare the second centre's jersey. His main competition, Inu, trained last week mainly as a shadow opposition player, suggesting he may be on the outer.

While Ropati is certain to start, whether he strikes up his traditional left-side partnership with Manu Vatuvei remains to be seen. Ropati played his lone trial match against Sunshine Coast at right centre, while Hurrell featured predominantly on the left side during the trials.

Negating Manly's favoured right side, where Daly Cherry-Evans operates with Glenn Stewart, Jamie Lyon and David Williams, will be paramount for McClennan. Starting Hurrell on the left against that line-up on debut would certainly be a gamble.

Last season's superb showing should make Locke the favourite to start at fullback. However, he has been under extreme pressure from speedster Fisiiahi throughout the pre-season.

Injuries to senior props Jacob Lillyman and Sam Rapira and veteran lock Micheal Luck mean the forward pack picks itself. Utility Lewis Brown, who can cover hooker, back row and centre, is a certainty for the bench, while Sione Lousi and Ukuma Ta'ai should provide the front row back-up. That would leave one spot, with Henry the most likely candidate.