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Story: Rugby league

League brothers

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League brothers

Three of the Ropati brothers – Joe, Tea, and Iva – played for the Kiwis in the 1980s and 1990s. On at least one occasion five Ropati brothers – Peter, John, Iva, Joe and Tea, shown here – played for the Māngere East Hawks. A sixth brother, Romi, plays rugby union. Peter went on to become a rugby league commentator, Iva a league administrator, and Tea a coach with the Māngere East Hawks.

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How to cite this page

John Coffey, Rugby league – Rugby league players, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/39060/league-brothers (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by John Coffey, published 30 November 2012.