Berkeley_Eagle
Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
A DISAPPOINTED Des Hasler understands Will Hopoate's decision to switch to Parramatta upon the completion of his two-year Mormon mission, saying the Sea Eagles did everything in their power to convince the teenage star to resume his career in maroon and white.
The 19-year-old has agreed to join the Eels in 2014 on a deal that, it has been claimed, may be worth an extraordinary $1.7 million over two years.
His father, John Hopoate, said yesterday: ''I'm very excited he's going to do this [mission], hopefully when he gets back he can continue what he's started. He'll be fine.''
Hopoate jnr is yet to set off on his church mission to Queensland. He will initially undergo missionary training in Auckland but before that will attend the premiers' civic reception tomorrow and presentation dinner on Friday.
He will also address a public meeting at his local chapel at Harbord on Sunday, explaining his decision to quit the game for two years.
Hasler said Hopoate told him and his teammates on Monday he had agreed to sign with Parramatta.
The Herald has been told his salary there may be as much as $850,000 a season, a huge figure that takes into account the substantial rise in the salary cap expected when the NRL secures its new television deal.
Parramatta officials, however, refused to confirm Hopoate's signing or comment on the money offered him. Eels sources have denied reports Hopoate's father could be offered a coaching position.
Hasler, whose own future has been the subject of speculation, said he respected Hopoate's decision not to return to Manly.
''While we are very disappointed to lose someone like Hoppa we understand it would have been a very difficult decision for Will,'' he said.
''I'm sure they've done what's best for Will and more importantly Will's family, which has always been central to his beliefs. Will is a person of great conviction; we can see that with the way he's handled all this. He's also a person of great sincerity.
''While we are disappointed we wish him every success on his two-year sabbatical and we wish him every success at Parramatta when he starts there.''
The Eels are yet to formally announce Hopoate's signing. The winger has, however, made it clear to his Manly teammates and Hasler that his future lies at the Eels.
Hasler said he was comfortable the Sea Eagles had done everything they could to convince Hopoate to return to the club after his break from the NRL.
''You've got to remember he's only just turned 19. It is what it is,'' the two-time grand final-winning coach said. ''We tried really hard and the way the negotiations took place all the way through with Will and his management, it was done pretty professionally to keep the disruption to a minimum.''
Parramatta were one of a raft of clubs pursuing Hopoate this season before his mission announcement in May. He has since become an even more valuable commodity, making his State of Origin debut and starring in Manly's premiership win on Sunday.
Far from keeping Hopoate behind closed doors the Church of Latter-day Saints is capitalising on the publicity opportunities presented by his two years' service to their cause. He will speak at a public meeting at his local chapel on Sunday, according to the church.
''He will be talking about his decision to serve a mission and outlining the things he will be doing while he is away from rugby league,'' a church spokesman said.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/hopoates-eels-move-dismays-hasler-20111004-1l7bj.html#ixzz1ZqLFi3xv
The 19-year-old has agreed to join the Eels in 2014 on a deal that, it has been claimed, may be worth an extraordinary $1.7 million over two years.
His father, John Hopoate, said yesterday: ''I'm very excited he's going to do this [mission], hopefully when he gets back he can continue what he's started. He'll be fine.''
Hopoate jnr is yet to set off on his church mission to Queensland. He will initially undergo missionary training in Auckland but before that will attend the premiers' civic reception tomorrow and presentation dinner on Friday.
He will also address a public meeting at his local chapel at Harbord on Sunday, explaining his decision to quit the game for two years.
Hasler said Hopoate told him and his teammates on Monday he had agreed to sign with Parramatta.
The Herald has been told his salary there may be as much as $850,000 a season, a huge figure that takes into account the substantial rise in the salary cap expected when the NRL secures its new television deal.
Parramatta officials, however, refused to confirm Hopoate's signing or comment on the money offered him. Eels sources have denied reports Hopoate's father could be offered a coaching position.
Hasler, whose own future has been the subject of speculation, said he respected Hopoate's decision not to return to Manly.
''While we are very disappointed to lose someone like Hoppa we understand it would have been a very difficult decision for Will,'' he said.
''I'm sure they've done what's best for Will and more importantly Will's family, which has always been central to his beliefs. Will is a person of great conviction; we can see that with the way he's handled all this. He's also a person of great sincerity.
''While we are disappointed we wish him every success on his two-year sabbatical and we wish him every success at Parramatta when he starts there.''
The Eels are yet to formally announce Hopoate's signing. The winger has, however, made it clear to his Manly teammates and Hasler that his future lies at the Eels.
Hasler said he was comfortable the Sea Eagles had done everything they could to convince Hopoate to return to the club after his break from the NRL.
''You've got to remember he's only just turned 19. It is what it is,'' the two-time grand final-winning coach said. ''We tried really hard and the way the negotiations took place all the way through with Will and his management, it was done pretty professionally to keep the disruption to a minimum.''
Parramatta were one of a raft of clubs pursuing Hopoate this season before his mission announcement in May. He has since become an even more valuable commodity, making his State of Origin debut and starring in Manly's premiership win on Sunday.
Far from keeping Hopoate behind closed doors the Church of Latter-day Saints is capitalising on the publicity opportunities presented by his two years' service to their cause. He will speak at a public meeting at his local chapel on Sunday, according to the church.
''He will be talking about his decision to serve a mission and outlining the things he will be doing while he is away from rugby league,'' a church spokesman said.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/hopoates-eels-move-dismays-hasler-20111004-1l7bj.html#ixzz1ZqLFi3xv
