Will Hopoate’s days as Canterbury Bulldogs’ fullback aren’t over

Will Hopoate isn’t ready to give up on being Canterbury’s fullback but admits Nick Meaney won’t give up the No.1 jumper without a fight.

Will Hopoate hasn’t given up hope of a return to fullback. (AAP Image/Steve Christo)

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Will Hopoate isn’t ready to give up on being Canterbury’s fullback but admits Nick Meaney won’t give up the No.1 jumper without a fight.

Meaney was promoted into the NRL side in round three after the Bulldogs suffered their worst start to a season in 40 years.

It was a move that forced Hopoate out of his preferred position and into the centres. It was a case of deja vu for the Tongan international. Hopoate was forced to start last season in the centres after coach Dean Pay shifted Moses Mbye from the halves and into fullback.

Will Hopoate hasn’t given up hope of a return to fullback. (AAP Image/Steve Christo)

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According to Fox Sports Lab, Hopoate provides a bigger attacking threat from the back than he does out on the edge.

In the 16 games he’s played at centre since 2018, Hopoate has averaged 121 metres per game, two tackle busts per game and set-up three tries. In contrast, he’s averaged 165 metres per game, four tackle busts per game and set-up seven tries in only 12 games at fullback over the same period.

“I’m not sure if my time there is done,” Hopoate said. “I love playing in that role at fullback. It’s where I played in the juniors. I think Nick is doing a great job there. But if this is what Deano [coach Dean Pay] feels is best for the team then I’m all for it. We need to get more wins, winning makes everything feel better.

Nick Meaney has excelled at fullback since his call up. (AAP Image/Hamish Blair)

“When you’re winning the bumps and bruises feel better and you’re not really worried about where you’re playing.”

The Bulldogs were derided last season for their inability to get their attack in order. But fans and pundits alike were full of praise for the way the Belmore side moved the ball around against Melbourne last weekend.

Hopoate said the addition of former Wallaby and skills coach Steve James to Pay’s coaching staff has been the difference.

LISTEN! Matty Johns is back with his latest podcast and with Paul Kent and James Hooper runs the rule over struggling team, takes a look at what makes a great halfback and has his say on the modern coaching problem. Plenty of laughs to be had as well.

“It’s always been there our attack. But it has been a matter of confidence to play that off-the-cuff expansive footy. It’s what suits us,” he said.

“In the NRL things come down to mastering the fundamentals and the ability to catch and pass on the mark, that’s a a fundamental part of our game . It can be the difference between scoring a try and not scoring. We’ve focused a lot on that during the preseason and we still do now. We can’t settle and think we have done enough.”

The Bulldogs will go into Sunday’s clash against St George Illawarra without marquee recruit Dylan Napa after he suffered an ankle injury against the Storm. Soft spoken forward Ofahiki Ogden has been named to take Napa’s place in the starting squad.

Hopoate warned that underestimating the introverted prop would be a mistake.

“I think he’s aggression is what we need. He’s brought that every time he’s played for us. We are going to need that. We are going to need him to start hard and start fast,” he said.

“He’s quiet off the field but once the boots are laced up it’s a 100 miles an hour and he brings the aggression.”

Originally published as Will Hopoate’s days as Canterbury Bulldogs’ fullback aren’t over