Exclusive: Will Hopoate gives candid response about future following St Helens exit

Tongan international Will Hopoate has played his cards close to his chest about his future, after his exit from St Helens was confirmed back in September.

The versatile back signed for the Saints before the 2022 season from NRL side Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, but his spell in the UK may be over. Speaking exclusively to Serious About Rugby League, Hopoate offered a candid response about his future when asked if Saturday would be his final game in the UK.

“Time will tell, time will tell” he said in response.

The back has spent the past two seasons at the Totally Wicked Stadium, and in that time has won a League Leaders Shield, a Grand Final and most recently he helped the club lift the World Club Challenge.

Reflecting back on the Saints time down under during which they secured that incredible victory, Hopoate said: “I think you can’t start much better than winning a World Cup challenge over in Penrith. That was probably the highlight of the year for a lot of us.

He added: “The way that game was won, a golden point, a field goal, it will be a memory etched in everyone that was involved in our minds and something that we’ll hold dearly in the place of our heart.”

Whilst his club future is still up in the air, Hopoate is still in the middle of an international series; as his Tonga side face England in the third and final test. What’s more is that Hopoate will lead his team to battle as he was announced as captain for the game at Headingley, normal captain Addin Fonua-Blake taking time from the game following personal issues.

During the interview with Serious About Rugby League ‘Hoppa’, as he’s affectionately known, highlighted the privilege of captaining his country: “It’s a huge honour, it’s probably one of the greatest honours you can have in the game.

“I’ve had the privilege to do it in the past and it’s something I don’t take lightly, so I’m very grateful that I get the opportunity to do it tomorrow.”

Should he captain his side to victory then he’ll prevent Shaun Wane’s side from tying up a series clean sweep, something that Wane has expressed his intent to secure. A victory will also give Tonga a historic win over England in England as well as heating up the rivalry that has been established between the two sides, in part due to the war of the words between both head coaches.