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Hoppa to keep training

Hopoate won't stop training

10/02/2011 07:18:41 PM

Departing Sea Eagles winger Will Hopoate will request a rigorous training program from the club and ask to have his fitness monitored regularly to ensure he returns from a two-year Mormon mission in peak condition for a comeback to the NRL.

Manly's comfortable 24-10 grand final win over the Warriors on Sunday was Hopoate's last game of rugby league until 2014 after he confirmed he would be joining the missionary later this month.

The gifted representative winger, who sent up a memorable try for Glenn Stewart in the decider, is determined not to lose speed or strength during his absence.

"I'm going to have to be self-motivated to train and keep fit," he said in a jubilant Manly dressing room.

"I don't want to come back as a prop."

"Hopefully they give me a training schedule to keep me in shape and I will stay in touch and let them know how I am going."

Hopoate admitted it would be hard to walk away from the club and the game after tasting premiership success and State of Origin selection in his first year.

But the 19-year-old intends returning to the club that gave him his start.

"It's going to be hard (to leave). I love these boys; they are like my brothers," he said.

"That's the plan (to come back to Manly). The feeling of winning and coming away with a premiership is something I'd like to do again."

"I didn't think it would happen in my whole career. For it (a premiership and Origin selection) all to come in one year is unbelievable and an experience I will cherish forever."

"I am overwhelmed, overjoyed...words can't really express how I feel."

Hopoate was one of Manly's best in a grand final victory that rarely looked in doubt.

He ate up plenty of metres in attack, was solid in defence and threw a spectacular flick pass to Stewart for a crucial try midway through the second half.

"I did nothing special. I was just trying to do my best for the team," a modest Hopoate explained.

"I'm just grateful to get the win. To go away with a ring is the best way to go out."

Asked to describe his role in the Stewart try, Hopoate smile: "It was a fluke, man."

"I was going for the corner and I was about to go out and was trying to keep it in and lucky enough it landed in Glenn's hands."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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