Joe Ropati is a New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

 rugby league

Rugby league

Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...

 player who represented his country

New Zealand national rugby league team

The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...

 in nine Test Matches, including in games that counted towards the 1988 World Cup. Ropati is part of a large rugby league family that includes internationals Iva

Iva Ropati

Iva Lewis Ropati is a former rugby league international player and High School Principal.-Early years:He grew up playing for the Otahuhu Leopards before moving to the Te Atatu Roosters where he won a Fox Memorial premiership. He later played for the Mangere East Hawks before moving to England...

, Peter

Peter Ropati

Peter Ropati is a New Zealand former rugby league player and commentator who played professionally for Leigh.Ropati is from a large rugby league family that includes brothers Joe, Iva, Tea and Romi.-Playing career:...

, Tea

Tea Ropati

Tea Faa'tea Ropati is a former rugby league player who represented New Zealand and Western Samoa...

 and rugby union

Rugby union

Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...

 international Romi

Romi Ropati

Romi Ropati is a retired rugby union player best known for his time with the Highlanders Super Rugby franchise...

. Joe, Tea and Iva are the only set of three brothers to play tests for the Kiwis.

Playing career

Ropati began his career playing in the Auckland Rugby League

Auckland Rugby League

The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...

 competition for the Otahuhu Leopards

Otahuhu Leopards

The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, New Zealand. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. They are coached by Peter Caccioppoli. Between 2000 and 2003 they also competed in the Bartercard Cup.The team are the current holders of...

. Between 1982 and 1985 Ropati represented Auckland

Auckland rugby league team

The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...

 and also represented New Zealand Māori

New Zealand Maori rugby league team

-See also:* New Zealand national rugby league team* New Zealand Māori rugby union team* New Zealand Māori cricket team-External links:* Google Books...

. In 1983 Ropati won the ARL's award for the most improved back and in 1985 he won the Tetley Trophy

Auckland Rugby League club trophies

-Trophies:There are approximately 24 trophies which have been competed for in Auckland Rugby League history by clubs. These include the following for teams; Fox Memorial Shield, Rukutai Shield, Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield, Kiwi Shield, A.R.L Trophy, Sharman Cup, Lawson Cup, Walmsley Shield, ARL...

 as the leading try scorer.

Ropati played in nine Test Matches for the New Zealand Kiwis between 1983 and 1986.

In 1986 Ropati moved to England, joining the Warrington Wolves

Warrington Wolves

Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....

. He stayed with the Wolves for four seasons.

Ropati also played for the Manly Sea Eagles for two seasons, playing in 21 first grade matches.