Centre Jerome Ropati will feel like he’s starting anew, complete with a mix of enthusiasm and butterflies, when he runs out for the New Zealand Warriors for their final NRL pre-season hit-out.

Ropati last played almost a year ago, when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Warriors’ round-three defeat to St George Illawarra.

He will finally get to test the knee in a match situation against Queensland Cup side Sunshine Coast in Whangarei on Saturday night.

“I’m pretty excited and nervous at the same time,” he said.

“But training has gone well in the past couple of weeks and the knee is holding up fine.”

The nerves come from the novelty of the situation.

The 27-year-old Kiwi international, who has 130 first-grade matches and 11 Tests under his belt, hasn’t been sidelined for so long in his career.

“It’s almost like learning how to play again,” he said.

“I’m not so worried about the contact, the wrestle and the ruck area. I’m more worried about striding and stopping at the same time, because that’s how I hurt it.”

There were some tough times during his comeback, especially missing out on the Warriors’ run to the grand final.

Ropati, who in the past has formed a potent partnership with winger Manu Vatuvei, said it would take a bit of time before the knee felt 100 per cent.

The good thing was that injury hadn’t played on his mind during opposed sessions at training.

Ropati’s absence created a hole for the Warriors during the balance of 2011, with former coach Ivan Cleary having to turn to the likes of back-rowers Simon Mannering, Lewis Brown and Elijah Taylor to fill it.

New coach Brian McClennan is delighted to see Ropati back in the selection frame.

“They missed him last year,” he said.

“He’s back and he’s our No.1 centre, so that helps big time.”

McClennan said the main aim for Ropati against Sunshine Coast was to get involved and enjoy his rugby league again.

“He’s a strong character is Jerome, and I’m sure everything is going to go well for him.”