- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
William Hopoate makes a break for Manly. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renee McKay
It’s official. The Parramatta Eels yesterday confirmed they have signed Manly young-gun Will Hopoate for 2014 when he returns from his two-year sojourn from the NRL on a religious mission. But will Hopoate be as good two years out of the game?
The Parramatta contract is believed to be worth $800,000, a figure Manly could not match, which led to Hopoate switching allegiances away from the team his father played for.
So is this money well-spent for Parramatta?
CEO of the Eels Paul Osborne, has confirmed the signing was a “calculated gamble” citing research the club did about US athletes who had undertaken mission work and returned successfully.
Hopoate, a member of the controversial Church of Latter Day Saints, is not the first Mormon to abandon rugby league to go on mission.
Hopoate’s uncle Albert, Bronco Lagi Setu, the Titans’ Jordan Rapana, Bronco and former Sharks and Broncos player Fraser Anderson, have all postponed their NRL careers to serve as missionaries around the world. There are also other notable Mormons in rugby league who have opted out of being a missionary, including Warrior Krisnan Inu, the Broncos’ Ben Hannant and AFL convert Israel Folau.
Those who completed mission work have returned with mixed results. Jordan Rapana converted to rugby union, signing with Western Force earlier this year. Fraser Anderson also converted to rugby union, joining Japanese rugby club Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers.
Beyond the appeal of quoting the Blues Brothers line “We’re on a mission from God” I personally can’t see why anyone would want to do what Hopoate is doing. But that doesn’t mean his decision shouldn’t be respected. Hopoate obviously takes a lot of pride in his faith, and if that’s what he wants to do, then all power to him.
However I still question the faith Parramatta have shown in the youngster.
Parramatta are certain he will be able to come back just as good, if not better in 2014. At just 19, there’s every chance this will be the case.
But here are some things to consider;
Though based in Brisbane, Hopoate will serve his two years spreading the religion cities and towns all around the state, moving every six weeks or so.
While on mission Hopoate will be up at 5.30am every morning to begin his duties. He will not be allowed to watch television, he’s not allowed to date, his possessions will be left behind, he can’t use the internet unless emailing family, he can only phone family on special occasions like birthdays or Christmas, and most importantly he is not permitted to play sport.
He can only do light exercise.
No matter how young or how fit he is now, after two years of mission work, Hopoate will not be in a good position to immediately re-enter the professional rugby league ranks.
Not only will he physically be behind the rest, but the nature of the game today means it is constantly evolving. NRL is getting faster, harder, more precise, and more skilful every year.
There’s no doubt the premiership back will do everything possible to make his return successful. No doubt. That’s the mark of a champion athlete. As everyone keeps saying, he may even come back mentally stronger having completed his spiritual mission. Being 21 in 2014, he’ll certainly still be young enough to have a shot at rebuilding his career.
But will Hopoate be as good?
Whether this is a masterstroke from the Eels to snap him up, or whether this will be an epic fail, is yet to be seen.
I guess only time will tell.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.