Kiwis and Warriors centre Jerome Ropati has fronted up about his average 2009 season, his desire to win a title and his quest to be a leader.
The 25-year-old is in his seventh season at the Warriors and last year inked a contract extension until 2012, which will make him one of only three players to play a decade at the club.
Stacey Jones and Awen Guttenbeil are the other two.
Ropati was a key member of the 2008 Kiwis' World Cup-winning side, scoring a try in the shock 34-20 triumph over the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium.
But a mental comedown in 2009 saw his form spiral sharply in the wrong direction.
Handling errors became a frustrating feature of his game and a loss in confidence saw him dropped from the Warriors to the second-grade Auckland Vulcans team.
"I had a mental laxity and there wasn't much of a break between the World Cup and the 2009 Warriors season," Ropati revealed.
"I tried to ride that high straight into the NRL, rather than treating it as a new season."
"When things started spiralling down, I had shoulder and ankle injuries midway through year, which didn't help me get back on track."
"It was a learning curve and one that will help me improve."
Ropati has tasted success at his 'home' – the Warriors.
In 2003, his debut season, they were minor premiers and losing grand finalists.
The following year they lost in the preliminary final and in 2007 they finished fourth.
But there has been no championship ring.
"Every year I realise the necessity to make the most of my opportunities because we haven't won a title," the 108-game, 10-Test veteran said.
"That's the most important thing in a league players' career. You want to get that title."
"At this club it feels like you have to do everything right in order to get a title, but that's something I'm committed to."
While the Warriors are his home, playing for his country remains a great desire.
"Once you experience it you want to be a part of it every year. It's a time that you cherish and it doesn't last long," Ropati said.
"It's something that I really want to get back to. I know I have to earn it. It's not a given. The jersey is valuable and I have to stick my neck out and play well to get it."
As the Warriors are the sole New Zealand side in the NRL - up against 15 Australian teams - with travel and refereeing, on occasions, counting against them, there is an argument things are more difficult for them than other clubs.
"But we are in control of our own destiny and luck. We believe in ourselves. We have been close, but now we need to finish that off," Ropati said.
With an aging Steve Price, Brent Tate off-contract this year and Micheal Luck's battered body, Ropati has taken on extra leadership responsibilities.
"Last year I wasn't much of a leader. This year I need to be," the former St Paul's College student bluntly said.
"The top-tier of our team is coming towards the end of their careers."
"Simon [Mannering], Sam [Rapira], Manu [Vatuvei] and I have come through the grades. All of a sudden we're all around the 100 game mark, so there is an onus on us to lead the team now - almost as if Pricey and the others weren't here."
Ropati