Ropeti on a roll at Ories

"The morale wasn't great, but with six games left we resolved every game from now on was do or die. That approach can be mentally exhausting, but it's amazing what some desperation can inspire," Alex Ropeti reflects on Oriental-Rongotai’s resurgence.

With a month remaining in the Swindale Shield, Ories was more than a bonus point win outside the top seven, but sneaked into the Jubilee Cup for the 11th year in a row by winning four of their last five Swindale Shield games.

On Saturday, Ories accounted for Marist St Pat’s 29-22 in the first round of the Jubilee Cup. What's changed at the Polo Ground?

"Less injuries," Ropeti swiftly responds.

Ories suffered a horror run of casualties where they lost seven starters at one point, including key backs Hayden Wheelan, Trent Renata, Andrew Ellis, Ambrose Curtis (now overseas at Wasps) and brothers Aukuso and Malo Tuitama. At what point did the straw break the camel's back?

"The Upper Hutt game. We lost to them 36-34 on ANZAC day. Oh man, that was a game we shouldn't have lost. I still don't know how we did," Ropeti answered.

On Saturday, Ories needed a sudden change against MSP. A 3-17 deficit was incurred before Ropeti changed the game with a kick, chase and regather which resulted in a penalty try. Ropeti captures the action.

"I was in the right place at the right time. MSP knocked the ball on inside our 22 and I kicked the ball up the middle of the park where I noticed there was space. I chased hard, as they say the kick is only as good as the chase. Andrew Wells was a bit casual getting across and I managed to take the ball off him and get away. I thought I was going to make it, but Rez Tasele was closing. The next thing I saw was an arm in my face. When I got up, I didn't realise it was a penalty try."

Against the breeze, Ories turned at halftime level and kicked onto record their second win in a fortnight against the Red Machine.

"Our win against MSP two weeks ago was our best of the season. It really showed what we're capable of. MSP were on a roll and we had to prove we were worthy of being a Jubilee Cup side,” Ropeti recalls.

Malo Tuitama and Luca Ress bagged two tries each in the 41-32 win, but earlier triumphs against Wainuiomata and Petone were also integral in the grand scheme of things.

Adam Deck scored 21 points in the 26-20 win against Wainuiomata and Ropeti contributed ten himself in a 25-17 toppling of Petone. Petone failed to register a point in their last three Swindale Shield games leaving the Jubilee Cup door ajar for Ories.

“It’s really surprising Petone couldn’t get a point. They’re a strong team who came back at us hard,” Ropeti reflects.  

After struggling with a persistent ankle injury, Ropeti has played 34 games and scored 57 points in the last two seasons.

One of four siblings, Ropeti studies commerce at Victoria University and works for the Salvation Army. He had brief stints at Poneke and Old Boys University, representing the Wellington Under-19's for two years. The product of St Pat’s Town is a keen volleyball player, modelling his hairstyle on Ories stalwart Paulo Aukuso.

Since 2011, Ories have won 33 games in the Jubilee Cup and reached the semi-finals
six times, winning the prize in 2011. Does Ropeti see Ories as a genuine Jubilee contender?

“Absolutely, but we have to take things one week at a time. I’m enjoying being fit and trying to be consistent every game,” Ropeti says.

This Saturday Ories hosts Poneke in Round 2 of the Jubilee Cup. In the Swindale Shield encounter, Poneke prevailed 28-25. How will Poneke respond to the player eligibility episode which saw their fixture against Norths postponed last Saturday and rescheduled to next Wednesday at Jerry Collins Stadium?

"It'll be a tough game, it always is against Poneke. What happened was unfortunate, but that’s off the field stuff,” Ropeti concludes.

Ories v Poneke 2:45pm at the Polo Ground