NRL transfer news: Albert Hopoate linked to Canberra Raiders
For years the Raiders had to pay overs to attract talent, but things have changed in Canberra and one man can take the credit.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Albert Hopoate, the hottest young free agent on the player market this summer, is edging closer to finding a new home in season 2021.
The Daily Telegraph understands Hopoate and his management toured Canberra’s state of the art training facilities on Monday.
Raiders recruitment boss Peter Mulholland confirmed the visit and said the ACT club was interested in the rising back and would initiate further talks during the week.
Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“He came down to have a look. We are interested in any young player that has talent and potential and Albert is certainly one of those players. He was the outstanding player in his group coming through,” Mulholland.
With the likes of centre Curtis Scott and Bailey Simonsson to return from injury and the rise of Semi Valemei, Hopoate’s addition would serve to add depth to Canberra’s back stocks.
Despite suffering two ACL injuries in the space of 12 months, Hopoate, 19, made his highly anticipated NRL debut for the Manly Sea Eagles in round 16 this year, and went on to play every other game in the season.
The Sea Eagles had loaned Hopoate out to the New Zealand Warriors prior to his debut but then recalled the teen sensation into the side after coach Des Hasler suffered his own injury crisis at Narrabeen.
But the Sea Eagles opted to not retain Hopoate beyond season 2020.
Mulholland believes Hopoate’s desire to join the Raiders is yet another sign the club has turned the corner in its ability to not only attract but retain talent.
It wasn’t all too long ago when the Raiders were forced to pay overs in a bid to lure the game’s best talent to the nation’s capital.
In 2014, Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco reneged on an offer to join the Raiders and in 2016 Penrith winger Josh Mansour knocked back a lucrative offer to move to Canberra.
But with the Raiders now a finals force under coach Ricky Stuart, Mulholland said those days are over and the club is constantly turning away talent.
“Ricky has done a tremendous job in turning around the way the club was once perceived. We are the ones turning players away now. We are now getting phone calls about players wanting to come to our club … and of course if it’s the right player for our club we are happy to take a look at it,” Mulholland said.
“Ricky has put in a position where we have a chance at the best young talent in the game.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL transfer news: Albert Hopoate linked to Canberra Raiders
‘Blowhard’: Cornes backlash turns prickly
Kane Cornes has been roasted by a high profile colleague over comments that have left NRL commentators in disbelief.
Parramatta legend: ‘24 Panthers don’t have a hope against ‘83 Eels
Penrith have claimed their place in the rugby league record books, but Parramatta great Ray Price has rejected suggestions they’ve gone past his Eels, claiming they had “every position and we every tactic covered”. WHO IS BETTER? VOTE NOW.