Gary Gutful
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Indeed, and judging by the cheesy photo he looks pretty pleased as well.
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Agreed.
I've always liked the bloke - who cares if he is full of himself - aren't we all?
Just shed away our skin to witness how full of ourselves we are beneath it!
I reckon Parra Pete at the front of Parra Stadium selling hotdogs or at least doing a game day shuttle taxi or bus service to and fro railway station/taxi-rank would be the go.
You'd never get bored with Pete driving while spinning yarn after yarn after yarn.
He'd be worth the transfer fee - I'll chip in to get him back from the green vomit.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...+dailytelegraphnrlndm+(Daily+Telegraph+|+NRL)SACRIFICE is found at an empty footy ground in the back streets of North Brisbane. Inspiration is there, too. And so is faith. Will Hopoate is many things, to many people. To the Parramatta Eels, hes everything. On a warm winters day, a rugby league oval is the last place youd expect to find Hopoate, who has spent the past 620 days walking the suburbs of Brisbane, spreading the gospel of the Mormon church.
His regular attire of a crisp white shirt, bible slipped inside his top pocket and pressed pants have been replaced by a Parramatta training shirt.
The only reminder of his dedication to the church is the name tag - Elder Will Hopoate - pinned to his training shirt. Its the first time hes worn the blue-and-gold colours and the first time he has met Ricky Stuart since he played under the former NSW State of Origin coach in 2011.
We were invited to Brisbane last Friday morning to attend Hopoates training session with the Eels coaching staff. The metres he powers through during the hour-long session are as significant as the miles hes covered during his Mission.
This is where Hopoates second coming begins.
Will Hopoate trains with the Parramatta Eels coaching staff in Brisbane last week.
Every step he takes is filmed by the staff, who once back in Sydney will analyse the technique of their prized recruit. Every sprint is broken down into a start, middle and end. His lunges are measured, burpees counted.
Hopoate writes down notes. The discipline from his Mission carries over into his other love, rugby league.
How many of these should I do? he asks Eels strength and conditioning head trainer Cherry Mescia.
Hopoate, 21, looks like he could play tomorrow. Lean and powerful through the hips, he hardly raises a sweat. He ends the rigorous session by thanking the entire coaching staff for their support.
Life outside of Hopoates two-year mission has been placed on hold. His work is done without distraction.
Will Hopoate meets with Parramatta Eels coach Ricky Stuart for the first time since 2011.
With no television, he has not watched a game since the 2011 grand final, which he played in, when Manly won 24-10 against New Zealand.
With no mobile phone, he had no clue Eels star Jarryd Hayne had recently missed eight weeks of this season.
Without any contact with his family except for email or a phone call permitted on Christmas Day and Mothers Day, he is counting the days until that moment of when he will finally meet his one year-old baby brother, George.
I havent held him in my arms yet or kissed him, thats something Im looking forward to," he smiles.
This is all part of the plan, according to Hopoate. And he wouldnt change a thing.
Will Hopoate in Brisbane, where he trained with Parramatta Eels coaching staff last week.
Its all part of it, but I do miss and love my family. I cant wait to see them again but I know why Im here and they know why Im here, Hopoate said. I wouldnt say its been easy, its been hard work. Mentally and physically.
We study throughout the morning and from 10am to 9pm were out knocking on doors visiting people, preaching to people and offering services to the community.
By giving myself away, I seem to find myself. Its hard work, but its rewarding and all worth it.
I love what Im doing now and Im going to love what Ill be doing in a few months and so I see it as a great blessing, a win-win situation for myself.
When Hopoate pressed pause on his NRL career two years ago, he did so as the second youngest player, behind Blues legend Brad Fittler, to play Origin for NSW.
He was 19 and turned down a $1.8 million contract to spend two years as a Mormon missionary.
He will return to the NRL with undeniable potential. At his best he has the ability to rival Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston as the most influential player in the game.
But its not only on the field that Hopoate is looking to dominate.
Within the Mission, Hopoates impact has been of such significance that he has been taken off daily door-knocking duties and promoted to mentor other missionaries.
When he returns to the NRL, Hopoate wants to provide inspiration for troubled footballers.
I do desire to come back stronger and faster than when I left, Hopoate said.
Going away for this two years has allowed me to become more self-reliant. Its helped me to be stronger, more mature in regards to things on and off the field.
Having that peace of mind and direction and purpose in life helps me to balance everything else, whether its footy, family or leisure.
Hopefully I can help others stretch to reach their limits. I want to be an example. Ill be happy to help anyone that has any questions, the guys coming through the ranks, the young teenagers. We live in a world where there are so many ill influences and distractions that can tear careers apart and so Id be happy to be an example and a mentor.
Hopoate rises at 6am each morning to start his day. He trains for 30 minutes every morning, using any number of the cardio and weights programs that the Eels have specifically designed for him. They have sent him weights that he uses in a garage, Swiss balls to improve his core strength, while sessions at the local oval allow him to work on his speed.
His communication with the Eels is via email, with football manager Peter Nolan and instrumental in ensuring Hopoate has everything he requires.
Its a blessing on my behalf that theyre so close (to Brisbane) and they can send up all these tools and programs to help me be prepared, he said.
Ive been following the program for quite a bit now and I really do appreciate Parra and their assistance in wanting to help me out.
With the half-hour to an hour in the morning that I get, obviously the quantity and the intensity isnt like pre-season, but its a very good base to start with.
Small steps, little by little, soon become a lot.
Despite Hopoates connection to the almighty, he admits that even he carries fears about his return. He is not the Eels saviour, he says.
Instead, he admits it wont be easy, knowing that even though he hasnt seen a match in two years, the game is always changing.
I know its not going to be a walk in the park with skill level and the physical intensity. Im looking forward to working with Sticky (Stuart) and the Parramatta club in being prepared for next year, Hopoate said.
I wouldnt say Im the saviour, Ive first got to save myself, physically.
I want to come back, theres been no thoughts otherwise. Rugby league is part of my blood ever since I was young. I really enjoy and love what Im doing now but Im looking forward to the next part of my life when it comes.
Agreed.
I've always liked the bloke - who cares if he is full of himself - aren't we all?
Just shed away our skin to witness how full of ourselves we are beneath it!
I reckon Parra Pete at the front of Parra Stadium selling hotdogs or at least doing a game day shuttle taxi or bus service to and fro railway station/taxi-rank would be the go.
You'd never get bored with Pete driving while spinning yarn after yarn after yarn.
He'd be worth the transfer fee - I'll chip in to get him back from the green vomit.
