THIS time last year, Will Hopoate was knocking on doors on his mission as a Mormon.
On Sunday, the remarkable comeback story of the Parramatta centre continued when he began knocking on the door for a State of Origin call-up with NSW.
With no access to a television, mobile phone or internet during his two-year mission, Hopoate was oblivious to the Blues’ gut-wrenching 2-1 series loss to the Maroons last year.
Now, he has a front-row seat to Wednesday night’s series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
Hopoate was called in as the shadow back option for NSW should an injury or hiccup arise on Saturday night, alongside no-nonsense Canterbury forward Josh Jackson, who has also earned a deserved call-up as the Blues’ 18th man.
But the dramatic rise from having not touched a football in two years, to be now in the reckoning this series for the Blues is just another amazing chapter in the career of young Hopoate.
He admits, even he has been shocked that after just 10 weeks of NRL, he is here on the cusp of playing a part in this year’s series.
“I’m slowly finding my feet again,” Hopoate said.
“It’s a thrill to be among some of the greatest players in the NRL.”
The second youngest player ever to represent NSW, behind Blues great Brad Fittler, Hopoate produced a dynamic Origin debut, scoring a try in the 2011 series in his only appearance to date.
“It (Origin) was definitely one of the greatest moments of my career,” Hopoate said.
“To pull on the sky-blue jersey was something so special. And at that time everything was happening so fast, that year in 2011.
“Parramatta have been massive for me. They’ve been such a huge help, without them and their help and their assistance, I don’t think I’d be here now.”
Despite Hopoate missing out to NSW centre-pairing Michael Jennings and Josh Morris, Daley suggested it was inevitable that ‘Hoppa’ would be soon running out for the Blues.
“He’s played really well and he’s someone that will eventually be back in the system,” Daley said.
“It’s just good to give him an early taste again and if injuries or whatever happens we know we can call on him.
“He’s a class player and he’s a guy that is very well respected. The more that we can fast track him now, the better it will be for down the track.”
Replies
Next year, next year...
Once he has a full pre-season and puts on that weight again he'll be even more dangerous for himself and I think we'll see him scoring more tries and forcing his way out of dummy-half.
I think it's safe to say Will's return has exceeded EVERYONE's expectations. Although he has been unlucky not to score that often, his play and reactions to his team mates is a delight to watch.
He's scored plenty.
THe refs and video refs have seen fit to take most of them off us.
Amazing to think how quick he has found his form, this time next year he will be the number 1 centre in the game.
LOL yes rozay, I thought the same.
Now, when IS Jason Taylor arriving?
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