S4Sonny
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RUGBY LEAGUE'S hottest property, Manly young gun William Hopoate, is considering taking a two-year break from the game to fulfil his religious duties as a devout Mormon.
The 18-year-old son of former Test winger John Hopoate has six clubs chasing him and, while he has played only a handful of first-grade games, he has commanded offers reserved for Origin-class players - an honour many experts think he could gain this year. The Knights and Warriors have joined Parramatta, St George Illawarra, Canterbury and, of course, Manly, in chasing his signature but Hopoate has revealed his desire to serve as a missionary.
''I'm deeply religious, and the missionary service is something I'm taking into consideration,'' Hopoate said. ''I'm weighing up my options but it's important to me.''
Hopoate's uncle Albert left the Sydney Roosters in 2005 to fulfil his missionary duties, while his father John, remembered as one of league's most controversial figures, admitted the reason he didn't follow that path was because he was ''missionary impossible''.
''I did things that went against the teachings of our church, I didn't think I was entitled to do it,'' John said. ''But William is a good kid. Some people would think he was crazy to knock back the kind of money being offered to do church work, but it is 100 per cent his choice, and I will support him.''
The utility back said he would be proud to represent NSW this year but wondered if he was ready. ''I'm still trying to find my feet in the NRL but for them to bring up Origin is a big call at the moment,'' he said.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...rl-to-become-a-missionary-20110430-1e20k.html
The 18-year-old son of former Test winger John Hopoate has six clubs chasing him and, while he has played only a handful of first-grade games, he has commanded offers reserved for Origin-class players - an honour many experts think he could gain this year. The Knights and Warriors have joined Parramatta, St George Illawarra, Canterbury and, of course, Manly, in chasing his signature but Hopoate has revealed his desire to serve as a missionary.
''I'm deeply religious, and the missionary service is something I'm taking into consideration,'' Hopoate said. ''I'm weighing up my options but it's important to me.''
Hopoate's uncle Albert left the Sydney Roosters in 2005 to fulfil his missionary duties, while his father John, remembered as one of league's most controversial figures, admitted the reason he didn't follow that path was because he was ''missionary impossible''.
''I did things that went against the teachings of our church, I didn't think I was entitled to do it,'' John said. ''But William is a good kid. Some people would think he was crazy to knock back the kind of money being offered to do church work, but it is 100 per cent his choice, and I will support him.''
The utility back said he would be proud to represent NSW this year but wondered if he was ready. ''I'm still trying to find my feet in the NRL but for them to bring up Origin is a big call at the moment,'' he said.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...rl-to-become-a-missionary-20110430-1e20k.html
