Berkeley_Eagle
Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
Hopoate set to rescue faltering Sea Eagles
Nick Markham | Rugbyleaguelive.com
Manly is set to promote boom youngster William Hopoate, son of infamous Manly winger John Hopoate, in a bid to solve the side's fullback dilemma in the injury-enforced absence of Brett Stewart.
The promising 17-year-old was signed to a three-year deal reportedly worth $300,000 at the age of sixteen, and is now set to fill the shoes of the Sea Eagles' talismanic custodian, according to Manly enforcer Brent Kite.
“I think there’s a good chance of him coming up but I think he’s been injured for the first part of the year and I think he’d like to have a few games in the Toyota Cup side and get some good form on the board,†Kite told BigPond Sports Weekend
Kite was quick to defend his struggling teammates from suggestions coach Des Hasler is set to select other players from the dominant under twenty side who have lost only one game this season,
“I think it’s a bit too early for that, they’re going well and that’s good to see but I think we can turn it around.â€Â
The Kangaroos prop concedes the Sea Eagles have lost some attacking potency without Stewart, but the reigning premiers are refusing to use his absence as an excuse.
“It’s a fact but I don’t think we can dwell on that too much because it’s going to be a long time before Brett is back,†said Kite.
The Manly forward was at a loss to explain Sea Eagles failure to convert opportunities into tries.
“As to why we’re not quite finishing off tries, I’m scratching my head at the moment,†said the veteran prop.
Nick Markham | Rugbyleaguelive.com
Manly is set to promote boom youngster William Hopoate, son of infamous Manly winger John Hopoate, in a bid to solve the side's fullback dilemma in the injury-enforced absence of Brett Stewart.
The promising 17-year-old was signed to a three-year deal reportedly worth $300,000 at the age of sixteen, and is now set to fill the shoes of the Sea Eagles' talismanic custodian, according to Manly enforcer Brent Kite.
“I think there’s a good chance of him coming up but I think he’s been injured for the first part of the year and I think he’d like to have a few games in the Toyota Cup side and get some good form on the board,†Kite told BigPond Sports Weekend
Kite was quick to defend his struggling teammates from suggestions coach Des Hasler is set to select other players from the dominant under twenty side who have lost only one game this season,
“I think it’s a bit too early for that, they’re going well and that’s good to see but I think we can turn it around.â€Â
The Kangaroos prop concedes the Sea Eagles have lost some attacking potency without Stewart, but the reigning premiers are refusing to use his absence as an excuse.
“It’s a fact but I don’t think we can dwell on that too much because it’s going to be a long time before Brett is back,†said Kite.
The Manly forward was at a loss to explain Sea Eagles failure to convert opportunities into tries.
“As to why we’re not quite finishing off tries, I’m scratching my head at the moment,†said the veteran prop.