Bulldogs must impress Dean Pay this weekend or face the axe
Still recovering from the 40-6 pounding by the Warriors in round 1, Will Hopoate says Canterbury players must overcome Parramatta on Sunday or face the axe from coach Dean Pay.
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Will Hopoate believes the Bulldogs players have just 80 minutes to stop coach Dean Pay from wielding the axe.
After eight days of contemplation, Canterbury will attempt to rebound from a dismal first-up loss to New Zealand by overcoming Parramatta at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Embarrassed by the Warriors 40-6, a furious Pay has spent this week challenging his playing group to scrap the performance and instead produce the form he and his coaching staff have witnessed during pre-season training.
Pay stuck with the same 17 players who were blown away by New Zealand.
It’s the head coach’s faith which Hopoate believes the Canterbury players must repay against the Eels.
“Absolutely (we owe it to Pay),’’ Hopoate said.
“Because their definitely could’ve been changes made and he could’ve wielded the axe for sure. But he’s chosen us to get a response.
“And that’s the only option we have, is to respond to the trust that he’s given us.
“I don’t think we were at our best (last week) collectively and as individuals.
“We’ve got a week to turn it around and we’re the only ones who can determine if we get picked next week.’’
Hopoate said he was aware of the public perception of the Dogs — that they’re just making up the numbers in 2019.
“Why wouldn’t they (hint that) after what we dished up last week?’’ Hopoate said.
“But what happens behind closed doors, in the sheds and the chat that goes on, I do believe we can turn things around.
“And it’s not just going to happen because I’m telling you now and I’m saying that.
“These words have got to be put into action and that’s the goal this week.’’
Hopoate knows too well that he must perform or risk being shuffled to the centre’s to make way for exciting Newcastle recruit Nick Meaney.
The former NSW Origin star got the jump on Meaney for round one, but admitted he was aware of the pressure on him.
“Nick has a bright future ahead of him,’’ Hopoate said.
“I was actually training in both positions during the pre-season, at centre and fullback.
“So I wasn’t too sure myself, what position I was playing.
“In the end I got the nod at fullback, but I know Nick’s a great player and he wants to play there too.
“It’s a position I love playing and I know if I’m not up to scratch there’s other players who will make the most of it.’’
Originally published as Bulldogs must impress Dean Pay this weekend or face the axe
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