News: New South Wales coach Ricky Stuart names William Hopoate in Blues side to play Queensland in O

[Rusty]

Manly 19-year-old winger William Hopoate was a shock call-up and part of five changes made by New South Wales coach Ricky Stuart to the Blues side to play Queensland in State of Origin II at ANZ Stadium, Sydney.



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Huge call, good on him - but there gos building for the future. Still a little in two minds about his and chocs selections, just hope Robbo is now fit to fill in when Hoppa gets the rep week off.

 

[Jatz Crackers]

That's an extraordinary achievement.

 

[chris_niko]

good on him. hope he somehow changes his mind and re signs with us

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Congrats to Hoppa and Choc. But seriously Ricky Stuart is a goose. The one thing he was going to do was pick players in their usual positions.

Not so important with Hoppa as he's played so few games he does not have a usual position.

But NSW were generally judged to be outplayed in the front row. Stuart picks a total of two (2) props for the big game. Good luck to him if it comes off, but it does seem he's making it all up on the run.

 

[Biscuits]

thats a real possibility. Its not like he has signed a 2 year contract with the mormons. he is free to change his mind at any stage

 

[Rex]

Dugan injury may see Stewart in Blue

NEW South Wales' Origin preparations are in tatters following what appears to be a serious injury to first choice fullback Josh Dugan.

Dugan injured his ankle in what looked to be an innocuous tackle mid-way through the first half of the Round 13 NRL clash between the Canberra Raiders and the North Queensland Cowboys.

Following the injury the Blues fullback immediately left the field of play and was assisted up the race and then spent the remainder of the games on the sideline icing his foot.

He took no further part in the game and his availability for State of Origin II must be doubtful.

The injury would appear to open the door for out of favour Manly fullback Brett Stewart to resume his representative career on the back of a brilliant performance for the Eagles on Saturday night.

More to follow.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/dugan-injury-may-see-stewart-in-blue/story-e6frfgbo-1226069611342

 

[torana355]

Dugan injury may see Stewart in Blue



The injury would appear to open the door for out of favour Manly fullback Brett Stewart to resume his representative career on the back of a brilliant performance for the Eagles on Saturday night.

This scares me, don't get me wrong i want to see Snake back in Rep football but if he re injures his knee to play in Ricky's ****ty NSW team i will be shattered, especially if NSW get flogged.

 

[brookiegreg]

Dugan injury may see Stewart in Blue

NEW South Wales' Origin preparations are in tatters following what appears to be a serious injury to first choice fullback Josh Dugan.

Dugan injured his ankle in what looked to be an innocuous tackle mid-way through the first half of the Round 13 NRL clash between the Canberra Raiders and the North Queensland Cowboys.

Following the injury the Blues fullback immediately left the field of play and was assisted up the race and then spent the remainder of the games on the sideline icing his foot.

He took no further part in the game and his availability for State of Origin II must be doubtful.

The injury would appear to open the door for out of favour Manly fullback Brett Stewart to resume his representative career on the back of a brilliant performance for the Eagles on Saturday night.

More to follow.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/dugan-injury-may-see-stewart-in-blue/story-e6frfgbo-1226069611342

Yeah there was plenty of talk on ABC Grandstand late in the day about the possibility of Brett Stewart being asked to fill the fullback role - Warren Ryan in particular thought Brett would be the right candidate with Hayne on left wing.

As much as I would LOVE to see Brett back playing SOO (he is the best fullback in the world after all), is this just a bit too soon because he is still only at approx 80%?

Brett hasn't had much game time over last few months, is not yet back to his brilliant best (although getting there fast obviously), and being thrust back into such an intense high level atmosphere could bring both positive and negative things.

Brett's made for SOO, been there and knows what it takes to be the very best in the game, but is this 12 months too soon?

Discuss please :argue:

PS: Just saw the hoppa and choc thread guys which covers much of this ;-)

 

[The Gronk]

I'd go with Hayne to fullback, Hoppa to wing and Idris to centres. At least then Ricky keeps his policy of playing people in their correct positions going for more than one game, well in the backs at least.

 

[Zep]

I would rather see Hopate/Hayne at fullback and bring in a specialist Centre/Winger. Stewart is suspect under the high ball. So is Slater, but NSW can't afford mistakes.

Though picking Kidley will do me, by far the most overrated Blues player, let alone captain.

 

[brookiegreg]

I'd go with Hayne to fullback, Hoppa to wing and Idris to centres. At least then Ricky keeps his policy of playing people in their correct positions going for more than one game, well in the backs at least.

Have to agree gronk - and many people who are non Manly supporters will be asking how many games has Hoppa played in first grade at centre? He's a great young player but doesn't NSW require a specialist centre as zep says?

Does this set Hoppa up for failure being chucked into such a boiling intense game?

If Hoppa doesn't have a miracle game and makes a mistake or two, won't the media and other fans go to town slagging him off?

 

[Zep]

Maybe Stuart is looking for size outside. Wish Daley would f off or whoever it is that is preventing Lyon from going back into camp.

Though the less Manly players involved the better.

No Stewart
No Lyon.

Let Choc build his confidence up again for the rest of the season and give experience to Hopate.

 

[Rusty]

Maybe Stuart is looking for size outside. Wish Daley would f off or whoever it is that is preventing Lyon from going back into camp.

Though the less Manly players involved the better.

No Stewart
No Lyon.

Let Choc build his confidence up again for the rest of the season and give experience to Hopate.

Lyon is not there by his own choice. He has requested to not be chosen. According to the post match interview the other day anyhow.

 

[wombatgc]

I'd expect a reshuffle in positions. Surely playing 120 minutes in a position is wasn't Ricky meant when talking about specialist positions. Good on William, but I just don't get the call up? Idris would've been my pick.

 

[ManlyBacker]

Young Will is one of the really great talents to emerge in our club for a very long time. He has it all for his age - ability to take the high ball, good speed, toughness and a build that seems to handle the pressure of the game. That we have got Foran and Hoppa at the same time is unbelievable as I rate both as finds of a generation. If I was looking at building a long-term team then Hoppa is an ideal choice by Ricky, BUT, he has said he is leaving the game so it is a baffling decision. Despite that it is a terrific achievement and congratulations to him.