PARRAMATTA'S prized recruit William Hopoate conceded he might have considered Canterbury's offer to join them a little more seriously had he known Des Hasler planned to coach the Bulldogs in 2013.
''Obviously I would have thought about it a bit more,'' said Hopoate, when asked if he'd have been tempted to follow Hasler. ''He is a wonderful person and I would have loved to have [continued] to play under him but, in saying that, I am excited to be coached by Steve Kearney because from my dealings with him he seems like a really nice bloke. [Kearney] was a [top-grade] player, he knows what he's doing and he's also coaching New Zealand so, yeah, I'm excited.''
Hopoate, 19, stunned the NRL when it was revealed the day after the Sea Eagles won the premiership he had signed a two-year deal with the Eels worth $1.8 million. Parramatta, Manly, the Warriors and the Bulldogs chased Hopoate for 2014 after he completes his Mormon missionary service.
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The emerging superstar revealed the Eels won him over because he was impressed by Kearney and his vision for the club.
''I'm happy I've joined Parramatta,'' he said. ''I'm really excited to be going to the club and for now I am going to focus on the mission and do the best I possibly can for the church. I've been surprised by the support from the Manly players and the club's supporters about my decision. It's been brilliant.''
Hopoate had already undergone a body fat-to-muscle scan so Parramatta could plan his training routine for when he is in Queensland performing church duties.
As do all the missionaries, Hopoate will have one hour to himself every morning and he intends to use it to stretch and keep his body conditioned.
''That's the plan, I'm trying to keep in the best shape possible to not come back too heavy,'' he said. ''I'll need to be self-motivated and train. You get an hour free each morning to do your own thing so I'll make the most of it.''
Hopoate's manager, Tyran Smith, said his client had started a documentary recording his two-year mission. Filming started when he was named in the NSW State of Origin team and includes footage of his reaction when he opened the letter detailing his mission along with the excitement of grand final week and the aftermath.
''William has been diligent recording everything and we're scheduled to talk to a production company to oversee the project because of the public interest in him,'' Smith said.
He also revealed Hopoate's father, the former international winger John Hopoate, would not be joining the Eels coaching staff but said there was strong interest in the progress of 13-year-old John jnr, a fullback, who played in the Parramatta competition this year.
''Little John needed to be challenged,'' Smith said. ''He was scoring up to seven tries a game in the Manly juniors and managed four a game this season at Parramatta.
''He didn't train with the team during the week because of the distance, but he played every week and has made a great impression.''
Hopoate spoke glowingly of his brother's ability and said it was his dream to one day play first grade alongside him and 16-year-old brother Jamil, who has also signed with Parramatta. ''I don't like to put pressure on young kids but [John jnr] is a lot better than I was at his age and hopefully he can continue with that form and play first grade one day,'' he said.
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''Obviously I would have thought about it a bit more,'' said Hopoate, when asked if he'd have been tempted to follow Hasler. ''He is a wonderful person and I would have loved to have [continued] to play under him but, in saying that, I am excited to be coached by Steve Kearney because from my dealings with him he seems like a really nice bloke. [Kearney] was a [top-grade] player, he knows what he's doing and he's also coaching New Zealand so, yeah, I'm excited.''
Hopoate, 19, stunned the NRL when it was revealed the day after the Sea Eagles won the premiership he had signed a two-year deal with the Eels worth $1.8 million. Parramatta, Manly, the Warriors and the Bulldogs chased Hopoate for 2014 after he completes his Mormon missionary service.
Advertisement: Story continues below
The emerging superstar revealed the Eels won him over because he was impressed by Kearney and his vision for the club.
''I'm happy I've joined Parramatta,'' he said. ''I'm really excited to be going to the club and for now I am going to focus on the mission and do the best I possibly can for the church. I've been surprised by the support from the Manly players and the club's supporters about my decision. It's been brilliant.''
Hopoate had already undergone a body fat-to-muscle scan so Parramatta could plan his training routine for when he is in Queensland performing church duties.
As do all the missionaries, Hopoate will have one hour to himself every morning and he intends to use it to stretch and keep his body conditioned.
''That's the plan, I'm trying to keep in the best shape possible to not come back too heavy,'' he said. ''I'll need to be self-motivated and train. You get an hour free each morning to do your own thing so I'll make the most of it.''
Hopoate's manager, Tyran Smith, said his client had started a documentary recording his two-year mission. Filming started when he was named in the NSW State of Origin team and includes footage of his reaction when he opened the letter detailing his mission along with the excitement of grand final week and the aftermath.
''William has been diligent recording everything and we're scheduled to talk to a production company to oversee the project because of the public interest in him,'' Smith said.
He also revealed Hopoate's father, the former international winger John Hopoate, would not be joining the Eels coaching staff but said there was strong interest in the progress of 13-year-old John jnr, a fullback, who played in the Parramatta competition this year.
''Little John needed to be challenged,'' Smith said. ''He was scoring up to seven tries a game in the Manly juniors and managed four a game this season at Parramatta.
''He didn't train with the team during the week because of the distance, but he played every week and has made a great impression.''
Hopoate spoke glowingly of his brother's ability and said it was his dream to one day play first grade alongside him and 16-year-old brother Jamil, who has also signed with Parramatta. ''I don't like to put pressure on young kids but [John jnr] is a lot better than I was at his age and hopefully he can continue with that form and play first grade one day,'' he said.
Read more: SMH
