NSW Blues young winger Will Hopoate is set to miss the third and final State of Origin clash with a hamstring tear that could keep him out of the game for up to six weeks.
Hopoate suffered the injury in his debut game for New South Wales, scoring a diving try in the corner to put New South Wales ahead and ultimately give them the win.
Hopoate looks likely to have suffered a grade two tear which would rule him out for six weeks.
Manly have been quoted as saying he’ll definitely not be right for Origin game three.
The Origin decider is on July 6th – three weeks from last night.
His absence for Game III will likely mean a recall for Penrith centre Michael Jennings, who missed Game II with injury.
Johnno
Guest
Junior Hoppa a quality player, but if fit i would still recall Jennings. Jennings reminds me of Steve Renouf. Great acceleration, he in my opinion is fastest man in NRL over 10meters, and that pace as we saw in game 1 just a little bit of room he can be handful and a matchwinner. He is no 1 fastest over 10 meters then Billy slater. That acceleration is a matchwinning asset, like in game 1 he almost sealed the match for blues, matchwinner pick him or Rick will have to ask matt cooper to come out of rep retirement for 1 last defensive masterclass. rugby union has had a few accelerators more so than league for some reason. Brian habana, shane williams, tim horn could gallop fast over 10 metres 10 had heaps of acceleration. Dale shearer used to have some. So hopefully jeenings is fit and he can execute his afterburners into action and help us win game 3, well need it it will be totally different atmosphere up there, in QLD favour and DLockear last match. Id also look at jamal Idris for gaze, more attacking options and he intimidates GI and opposition in general with big hard runs and can be an extra forwad if needed, plus bring in TTL for trent Merrin, and i would be tempted to play greg bird at 5/8 he is a big match player and he would rise to the occasion he loves a match like game 3 he is 1 of those players that also is made for origin, i just think he offers more grunt and assertiveness in attack than soward. ALso bring in farad for tennis, then it will take creative pressure of gidley, origin is a different game but farah is not soft he plays in the NRL every week against the same big meatheads and gets crunched and survives, and he has won a grand final so he can play in big matches, he is not soft at all. SO yep a centre pairing of Jennings, Idris, bird to 5/8, and add some muscle and size with TTL for MerrinN, and leave pearce as Mullen is not available and i cant think of any other challengers todd carney perhaps he is assume on his day, but he might get to much media attention that could disract the team but i would love to see bird and carney, over soward and pearce.
Mals
Guest
Shame for the young fella, he has been playing fantastic football this year! Big loss for Manly... hopefully Jennings will be good to go for SOO3.