State of Origin Player Profiles: Will Hopoate

by Nick Fray, Origin Online and Over the Line Sports

Origin Online continues its countdown to game two by profiling every single player set to take part in the big game, and today we look at the men who always have a big say in Origin clashes; the wingers. Defences are so tight in most Origin games that the value placed on quality finishers is enormous, so sit back and read up on four men who just might be difference-makers come next Wednesday, with Parramatta’s Will Hopoate in the spotlight here as he looks to revive his Origin career after a self-imposed two-year hiatus.

Will Hopoate, New South Wales

Winger, Parramatta Eels

Origin Appearances: 1

Origin Tries: 1

Origin Status: Making up for lost time

Will Hopoate had the world at his feet in 2011, becoming the third-youngest Blues player in history when handed a debut just weeks after his 19th birthday for Game Two of the series. After scoring a superb try and playing a big role in a Blues victory, Hopoate was forced out of the squad for the decider with a torn hamstring, but that did little to stop his momentum as he was a driving force in Manly’s premiership campaign and had rival clubs clamouring for his signature.

Parramatta won that race, but were forced to wait two long years before he would turn out in the blue and gold, as he shocked many observers by taking a leave of absence from the game to undertake a Mormon mission. It is a massive testament to Hopoate as a man that he would sacrifice two years of a hugely promising football career for a personal cause he is deeply committed to. It is perhaps an equally significant testament to Hopoate as a footballer that just a few months into his return he has earned a recall to the game’s toughest arena.

Hopoate’s absence from the game alone makes his selection a huge talking point, but the circumstances surrounding it are also quite remarkable. Having played exclusively at centre for Parramatta this year, Hopoate will play his first game on the wing since Manly’s 2011 grand final victory over the Warriors, beating out current Manly winger Jorge Taufua and Penrith’s Josh Mansour for the spot vacated by the injured Brett Morris. Both of those players are noted for boasting incredible strength and explosiveness for the wing position, and it is a huge show of faith from Blues coach Laurie Daley that he would opt for a man whose body is still readjusting to the rigours of first grade football, let alone the physical demands of an Origin match.

And yet, in spite of all that, you just know he’ll succeed when called into action. Nothing fazes this kid, and many will argue that he is already a more mature and complete player than his famous father John, if not quite as physically gifted. Queensland have built their dynasty by identifying Origin-calibre players and sticking with them, and with Daley looking to usher in a new era of Blues success by following the same blueprint, expect Hopoate to maintain his spot for years to come.