Ropati is of Samoan descent and was educated at St Paul's College, a school noted for its rugby league teams.

[4] In 2002 Ropati was named captain of the Junior Kiwis squad which played two games against touring Australian sides.

When not selected for the first grade side, Ropati represented the Auckland Lions in both the Bartercard Cup and NSWRL Premier League.

He was a member of the 2008 World Cup winning Kiwis team, that defeated Australia in the Final, with Ropati scoring a try in the match.

[10] In 2018 he put the boots back on and has turned out for the Bay Roskill Vikings in the Sharman Cup, helping them to the Phelan Shield in an unbeaten regular season.