Centre Jerome Ropati is ready to bring his substantial NRL experience back into the mix, but he doesn’t see himself as the saviour for the Warriors’ defence.

The 29-year-old former Kiwi, who is coming back from injury, will make his first appearance of the season against St George Illawarra in Auckland on Saturday.

The Warriors are looking to rebound from a poor first-up performance against Parramatta last Sunday, when they conceded seven tries in a 36-16 defeat in Sydney.

Ropati has come in for Carlos Tuimavave, who has paid the price for a leaky right edge and will play in the NSW Cup this weekend.

While what happened out wide has come in for plenty of scrutiny, Ropati says there were issues in other parts of the field as well and defence required a combined effort.

“I’m not the guy who’s going to save the right edge – it’s a team effort,” he said.

“I’m just there to help a little bit, maybe in communication. I’ve also got a job to do. I have to make sure I don’t take my eye off my own performance.”

Ropati is into his 12th NRL season, but spells in the casualty ward have restricted him to 15 appearances over the last three years and only four in 2013.

He played in two of the trials in February and was 18th man for the match against the Eels.

He is feeling in good shape physically and carrying no niggles into the match at Eden Park, where the Warriors will be seeking their first NRL win in their fourth attempt.

They will also be out to end an eight-game losing streak against St George Illawarra.

Their last win over the Dragons came in a 44-16 win at Mt Smart Stadium in July 2007.

Ropati, who scored a try, is one of four surviving Warriors from that match, along with present skipper Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei and Sam Rapira.