Live stream: Rising NSW CCC star Cody Hopwood making big impression at ASSRL U18 Nationals

Standing at 196cm, rising NSW star Cody Hopwood is quite the imposing figure. It should be no surprise then that his favourite NRL is a player of similar stature. See him LIVE at the ASSRL Champs.

Surprisingly, one of the most influential middle forwards at the ASSRL U18 national championships this week is a latecomer to the game of rugby league.

Cody Hopwood, the 2023 Australian Schoolboys prop and All Saints College, Maitland star, only started playing at aged 10, but in a short space of time has cemented himself as one of the most promising schoolboys forwards in the country.

The 196cm Newcastle Knights signed prop has been outstanding for the NSWCCC side, who have won both of their games so far on the NSW mid-north coast, and has presented a strong case as to why he should again be picked in national colours.

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“I didn’t start when I was really young. Mum would wrap me up in bubble wrap, if she could, and stuff like that,” he said.

“She really wanted to look after me, didn’t want me to play rough sport, but as soon as I started playing footy I loved it.

“I have always been footy mad.”

Hopwood is a tall timber, born in Gosford and raised in Maitland, where there must have been something in the water.

Cody Hopwood has impressed on the NSW mid-north coast this week.

“They (my parents) are not (tall),” Hopwood said in reference to his height.

“Dad isn’t that tall. I don’t really know, it’s really weird. I think it’s just a second gene that skipped a generation or something. Pretty crazy.”

Hopwood said he grew up admiring the playmaking skills of Bulldogs halves Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson, but has more recently taken a liking to Maroons hardman Lindsay Collins.

“When I was younger it (my inspirations) was sort of like Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson from the Bulldogs. I loved them. As I am getting a bit older now Lindsay Collins, I sort of follow him a fair bit.

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“Watching what he does off the ball and stuff like that, he is a really good player, so I love watching him and try to put stuff from his game into my game.”

But Hopwood said his true inspiration was his mother, Sandy Tull, and grandmother Elaine who were “huge for me”.

“Mum looked after me when I was really young, making sure I got to school and always making sure I was fed so every time I play, I play for mum and nan.”