Parramatta flyer Will Hopoate might have bolted into contention for a shock return for NSW, but his father says he wouldn’t pick him in State of Origin one.
John Hopoate, himself a former Blues winger, says his son doesn’t deserve to reclaim his place in the NSW side, despite turning in two electric performances for the Eels in the past two weeks.
“I wouldn’t pick him,” a frank Hopoate Snr told AAP.
Attacking sensation, Will Hopoate starred for the Blues in his one and only Origin game as a 19-year-old back in 2011, scoring a scintillating try, before leaving the game for his Mormon mission.
Most expected it would take Hopoate some time to get back to his best after so long out of the rigours of the NRL, but his freakish talent has been well and truly on show over recent weeks as the Eels have hit their straps.
NSW coach Laurie Daley is looking for a right winger, and Hopoate, a right-side player, could easily handle the move to the flank.
But Hopoate senior doesn’t think his son has done enough.
“He needs a bit more time,” he said.
“He’s slowly getting back in the swing of things. He played good the past two weeks but I wouldn’t pick him based on that.
“You need more than just two great performances.”
Hopoate said he always knew Will would immediately find his feet back in the NRL, but said his son had never set Origin as a goal for this year.
“I’m not really surprised (how well he’s gone). He’s always been good,” he said.
“He was away from the game but Parra were going up once a month and making sure he was on track. Since he’s been back he’s been doing a lot of extras by himself.
“But he just wanted to get back into playing good, consistent footy for the Eels and hopefully he’ll get picked later on down the track.”