Sponsored by
Eagles face battle to keep Ropati and Yere
SHEFFIELD Eagles are preparing for a battle to keep their star centres Tangi Ropati and Menzie Yere.
Super League clubs have been alerted by the players' defence-busting style of try-scoring.
The two, in their first season in the British game, provide a devastating mix of styles - Yere raw power and Ropati silky-smooth breaks. Against Doncaster at the weekend the pair shared six touchdowns - Yere four and Ropati two - to bring their combined total to 19 tries.
Their play prompted Dons' coach Tony Miller to comment: "There are worst centres in Super League".
Eagles coach Mark Aston admits keeping the pair he signed at the start of the season may be hard.
"Both have the potential to play Super League," he said. "When we played Hull Kingston Rovers Menzie had it all over Jake Webster so they can do it at that level.
"We're worried about keeping them at the club - but it's nice to hear that people respected them because they are getting better."
Samoan Ropati is the Eagles' top try scorer with 10 but Papua New Guinean Yere is only one behind.
Aston added: "They are both quality players with different personalities and skills. Tangi has the footwork and the silky skills. Menzie is more grunt and force - he's strong and takes some stopping."
Ropati is the nephew of Iva Ropai who played for the Eagles in 1991-92 scoring 30 tries in only 27 games.
They will be aiming to boost their try count when the Eagles face Batley Bulldogs at Don Valley, on Friday (8pm).
Got a view? Add your comment below.
FREE E-MAG: Click here to read our Twenty20 Cup 2009 e-mag for FREE on line.
BUY ONLINE: Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. Sign up on line by clicking here.
READ MORE
Football headlines.
Football gossip.
Blades news
Owls news
Reds news.
Millers news.
More rugby.
More boxing.
Sports columnists.
All sport categories
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
