By Jonathan B Geddes

WARRINGAH centre “Jet” Jackson Ropata again reminded the struggling NSW Waratahs what they have lost with another impressive performance for the Rats in Saturday’s 42-31 win over arch-rivals Manly in their Anzac Day clash at Manly Oval.

His powerful two-try effort, before a bumper crowd on a special afternoon honouring Anzac Day, led Rats’ coaches Josh Holmes and Boyd Killingworth to declare that the 22-year-old should be playing regular Super Rugby now.

Ropata was in the Waratahs’ Super squad last season but never got an opportunity to show what he could do. He made a big impact when he got onto the field in the Super Rugby AUS, but for some reason, NSW let him go for 2026.

Despite that, Ropata has maintained a positive attitude by keeping the faith.

“You go through your moments, at the time you get a bit emotional, it is what it is,” Ropata told Rugby News.

“I’m a big believer in God. We get blessed with blessings, and everything happens for a reason. I’m just a man of faith and a man of courage, and I try to wake up every day and give someone a reason to smile.

“I can sit there and wimp about it, or I can move on to what I can do next and be my best. I just want to control what I can control and enjoy my footy.

“I’ve got an amazing support system that keeps me going every day.”

Ropata’s Super chance should come as the Western Force has picked him up on an Academy contract after being cut by the Waratahs.

“I’m doing my part to help support the team, and if they need me, I am ready,” he said.

MIND-BLOWING DECISION

HOLMES has no doubt where Ropata’s future lies.

“I think he should be playing Super Rugby week-in, week-out,” Holmes said. “He is still pretty young – the best thing he can do is go out and keep showing people why he should be playing at that next level. Sooner or later, someone’s going to stand up and give him that opportunity.

“I think from there he’ll kill it.”

Killingworth said it was “mind-blowing” that Ropata was not playing Super Rugby and described him as the best back in the Shute Shield.

“To be playing that well last year when he was in the system and to be let go, I just don’t get it sometimes,” Killingworth said.

“No one wants to tackle him, he is obviously fast and strong. I know I wouldn’t want to be an opposition 13 or a breakaway marking him.

“It gets me angry that some of these boys haven’t played Super (Rugby) when they are clearly good enough and better than some people within the system.”

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

THE self-effacing Ropata credits teammates for his good form.

“The boys lay a good platform for me,” he said. “Everyone in the team has a job to do, and the boys do that exceptionally well.

“I want to show my respect to the other players and do my job and play my part.

“To be fair (centre partners) Bronny (Lebron Naea) and Tyson (Davis) are my insides and they do the dirty work, I just do the easy stuff.

“You know what, we have a well-structured team, class players, and everyone does their job.”

The icing on the cake was to beat the Marlins in the battle of the beaches.

“To come here to Manly, especially as such an amazing Day on Anzac Day, and to do this is just unreal,” he said.

After trailing 24-14 at the break, the Rats stormed home to win.

Asked to assess the performance Holmes said: “Poor first half and we finally kicked into gear and showed how we can play in the second half.”

He said No.12 Naea got the side moving forward and was named player of the match.