Sonny Bill Williams has urged the NRL to allow John Hopoate to continue his coaching career.
The game’s governing body and the controversial rugby league figure appear on a collision course over Hopoate’s role as coach of Manly’s SG Ball side.
However, two-time premiership winner Williams believes Hopoate has paid for his previous indiscretions and should be allowed to mentor the NRL’s rising stars.
“Let the past be the past, Seems like ‘Hoppa’ wants to use it in a positive way and we need more islander coaches coming through the grades.” Williams wrote on Twitter.
Williams has turned around his public image since emerging as one of the NRL’s most reviled figures when he walked out on Canterbury in 2008.
His positive influence on younger players during his return to the NRL with Sydney Roosters in 2013 and 2014 is credited as a significant factor in the club’s 13th premiership success.
The NRL insist that Hopoate is not a “fit and proper person” to be heading up the Sea Eagles’ elite under-18 side.
But the most suspended player in the history of the NRL has vowed to fight any ban.
Hopoate has said he hasn’t been stood down from his coaching role with Manly, however he did not lead the Sea Eagles’ SG Ball side’s training session on Tuesday.
The former representative winger has vowed to take any sanction to the NSW Supreme Court, claiming it’s the NSWRL that has jurisdiction over the SG Ball competition not the NRL.
It is the NSWRL’s position that Hopoate has met the various criteria to qualify as a coach at a junior level.
The matter could come to a head when Manly host Canberra in the third round of the SG Ball competition at Brookvale Oval on Saturday.
Russell
Guest
It has to be asked........ Why should a rugby union player feel the need to comment on an RL topic, no matter how good his views are? What's next Greg Norman stating he feels Mitchell Pearce has been badly done to? Diana Ross believes Manly are good for the Grand Final this year? Or , how about, Jonny Wilkinson says Jonathan Thurston is over rated?
Andrew
Guest
He's a gangster (Hopoate), also... I want to see SBW in a Heavyweight bout with Boxer, not a media stunt. He may last 3 rounds, at the best.
jacko
Guest
SBW made a comment on his social media page. Some reporter decided to write an article on his com, ent. Hardly SBW at fault here. Also getting a working with chrildren card is a very easy and short process which is free for unpaid coaches and under $150 to paid coaches
Tigranes
Guest
Didn't Hoppa get rubbed out of the game for elbowing Galloway in the head...it damn near killed Keith...is that what he could teach the kids? And Hoppa wouldn't have got banned from the Star for no reason...
richo
Guest
really? he's made threats to refs at junior games! How is that doing an outstanding job? As long as his type is continually congratulated and admired they will always feel free to lose their temper in public.
Fiddlesticks
Guest
Classic boys, you can guarantee weidler will have it on Sunday
Fiddlesticks
Guest
Well said
pete bloor
Guest
I think it's because of the administrative hassle right. Imagine - Hey do you want to coach your sons/daughters under 8 team? Cool please go through this 6 month process...
Tom Rock
Expert
Not sure they could afford it. Foxtel have probably bought the rights to SBW's inner monologue in the latest broadcast deal.
clipper
Guest
It might fall under the exemption when you are a parent of a child in a team that you are coaching.
Parrafan
Guest
That wookies on Endor line was a cracker Pete.
pete bloor
Guest
And I maintain going sober in your early 20s has miniscule relevance as to whether or not he has expertise in judging if someone is a fit and proper person to coach children, especially given I don’t think SBW has been a party to any of the relevant private discussions. This does all feel like a power struggle between Manly and the NRL and threats of fines etc seem all over the top and frankly could have been handled without the circus. But if the police have recommended against it then I’m okay with that as I’d think their expertise in establishing links with organised crime probably would be just marginally more credible than SBW’s.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I'm hoping Ch9 have an audio of his thoughts as the Roosters run out in Rd 1
Tom Rock
Expert
I look forward to reading Sonny's views on this issue, and any other thoughts he has ever had, in Danny Weidler;s column this weekend.
Don
Roar Rookie
For mine, if the guy can gain a working with children authorisation (blue card in QLD) then he should be able to coach kids / U18s. Any concerns with his background would be sorted with that. The NRL could then say an independent body determined his suitability as a fit person or not. Personally, I'm surprised all junior coaches don't have to get the cards.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Surely people know why Manly are so keen to keep Hoppa on as coach of their SG Ball team? Might have something to do with a certain relative who plays rugby league who Manly are keen to keep on their books, and who may or may not enjoy wearing a CAP...
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Just because the situation is different doesn't mean one can't learn from their mistakes and assist others. Just like I believe Russell Packers situation is far worse than Hoppa's but congratulate him on mentoring young League players now as part of his rehabilitation. Others can learn from his errors, how he took his career for granted. It's interesting that people believe SBWs issue was that he walked out on his club. He actually had a huge drinking problem that was ruining his life. Living near the Cross it was not uncommon to see SBW wandering the streets at 7am on a Monday morning. Usually flanked by a few other high profile NRL players. But he turned his life around, got completely off the booze, and his influence at the Roosters and Chiefs, as well as his ITM team are well known. I maintain he is very qualified on talking about past errors and helping others get the most out of their careers. Hoppa's been coaching kids for 2 decades and you won't find many, if any, who don't believe he has done anything but an outstanding job. He teaches them excellent values and keeps them grounded, very important for those who make rep sides from a young age. But anyway, the NRL want blood and they'll get it. They've been gunning for him since November and now conveniently have the police letter sent 3 weeks ago, which conveniently got leaked to the press. Not a lot of integrity at the Integrity Unit.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
What NRL team does SBW play for now? Was SBW paid to comment? Is SBW having a relevance crisis? Some ex-players seem to thing they can do and say whatever they want and we fans should bow down to their greatness. If ex-players want to have an input into the running of the game they should get jobs as administrators. Hoppa and SBW are only thinking of themselves and their small group of immediate contacts. They have never thought about the greater NRL, its fans and its teams.
pete bloor
Guest
Come on EJ. I get sticking up for your club but SBW walked out on a contract which is about as relevant as wookies on endor to the Hoppa situation. If he has a "fair bit of expertise" then we've set the bar of expertise pretty bloody low.
East Bound & Down
Guest
As EJ has said Baz it was a piece of Twitter dribble being cut n pasted by someone desperately flog another dead horse , this story is over , let it take its course now.