Latest news with #WillHopoate
ABC News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Hale T Pole represents all Pacific Island rugby players these days
Hale T Pole played more than 30 times for Tonga, including at a World Cup, and is taking those lessons and applying them to the next generation. Pole talks about his culture shock moving from Tonga to NZ at age 18, that red card against Samoa in the World Cup and as the CEO of Pacific Rugby Players, what the big improvements have been to date and what's to come. Will Hopoate talks us through some of the exciting finishes in the NRL this week, Sam Wykes casts his eye over Samoa's game vs Scotland and the latest news for the Pasifika First Nations game and Shellie Long sums up the underdog victories in the NRLW. NB: Hear the Hale T Pole interview at 29:30
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Footy star Will Hopoate's wife says no more kids after revealing she's pregnant for the SIXTH time
The wife of former NRL star Will Hopoate has revealed she is pregnant - and the couple's sixth child will be their last. Jimi Hopoate posted a photo on Instagram recently featuring herself, son Ammon and the 2011 premiership winner with the Sea Eagles. The caption read: 'Ammon's going to be a big brother. Baby #6 (and last) arriving November. It's a girl.' Hopoate's childhood friend and fellow footy player Michael Oldfield was quick to congratulate the couple - and joked: 'only six to go to take the lead', referencing Will's parents John and Brenda Hopoate famously having 11 children. Mrs Hopoate playfully said in response: 'No, no, no. I'm done.' A schoolboy prodigy, Hopoate made his first grade debut in 2010 with Manly, winning a premiership the following season after also playing Origin for the NSW Blues. He then stunned rugby league fans after stepping away from professional footy and spending two years on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is a common undertaking for young Mormons. In 2014, Hopoate returned to the NRL, signing with Parramatta before joining the Bulldogs ahead of the 2016 season. Next was a move abroad to St Helens, where Hopoate won an English Super League title in his first season at the club in 2022. Now happily retired, Hopoate is working with the Sydney Roosters' rising junior stars. 'I'm doing some work with the Roosters in the pathways, in the wellbeing space,' Hopoate told James Graham's The Bye Round podcast in January last year. 'When I knew I was finishing up, I contacted some of the people I knew in the NRL that are in the wellbeing space and said if there is something that comes up, let me know. 'I enjoy working with the younger generation and this opportunity came up so I'm grateful to the club for allowing me to do this. 'I help the boys with things off the field. As a footy player when things off the field are flourishing, you are able to train and play better. 'I'm striving to have an impact on that space.'
