Three Hopoate brothers set to play NRL in 2019

Trios of siblings are not new to rugby league - think the Mortimers, Walters and more recently the Jennings. But 2019 could be the year of the Hopoates.

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Twenty-five years after his debut for Manly, John Hopoate has hopes of watching two more of his 11 offspring enter the NRL cauldron this season.

Should everything fall into place, Canterbury’s Will is set to welcome brothers Albert and Jamil into the top grade.

An exodus of outside backs at Manly has teenage star Albert primed for a debut this season, with the speedster a serious contender for a round one wing spot.

Albert Hopoate has progessed well from the Australian Schoolboys. (Karen Watson)

The departures of Brian Kelly and Akuila Uate have opened roles in the outside backs at the Sea Eagles, with Albert vying for a starting berth with recruits Reuben Garrick and Brendan Elliot.

Jamil, 24, is on a train and trial with Brisbane and is eyeing off a spot in the top 30 following a stellar performance in the club’s opening trial win against Souths Logan.

The junior star was long tipped for a bright future in the NRL but off-field issues threatened to derail his career before it began.

Jamil Hopoate (right) wants to put the past behind him. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Jamil spent nine months in jail for assaulting a man outside a Sydney pub in 2014.

Given a chance by Wayne Bennett, Jamil could finally fulfill his high expectations this year with a potential NRL debut looming.

The Hopoates can join an illustrious group of sibling trios to have simultaneously played in the NRL such as the Mortimers, Walters and most recently the Jennings brothers.

Will has set the bar high for his brothers. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Will, a 123-game veteran, says he’s excited at the prospect of being joined by his younger brothers.

“It’d be amazing, it’d be awesome. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of bragging rights over the dinner table,” he said.

“That’s a goal of all of ours to play in the NRL and hopefully that can come to pass this year.”

“The whole family will be stoked if they do get a run. For now they’ve just got to keep their heads down and keep working hard and hopefully get the nod.”