Albert Hopoate (rugby league, born 2001)

Albert Hopoate (born 25 February 2001) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a wing, centre and fullback for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Albert Hopoate
Personal information
Born (2001-02-25) 25 February 2001
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight97 kg (15 st 4 lb)
Playing information
PositionWing, Fullback, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2020 Manly Sea Eagles 5 0 0 0 0
2022– Canberra Raiders 27 11 0 0 44
Total 32 11 0 0 44
Source: [1]
As of 6 August 2023

He previously played for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL.

Background

Hopoate is of Tongan descent through his father John Hopoate who was an Australian, Tongan and New South Wales State of Origin representative.[2] His elder brothers William Hopoate and Jamil Hopoate also play rugby league professionally, for St. Helens and Brisbane Broncos respectively.

Albert played his junior rugby league for the Beacon Hill Bears, before being signed by the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

Playing career

Early years

Hopoate rose through the grades at the Manly-Warringah club, playing for their Harold Matthews Cup and S. G. Ball Cup sides, also appearing for the New South Wales under-16s side in 2017.[3] He also played for the Australian Schoolboys rugby union team, New South Wales National Youth rugby sevens and Australian World Schools rugby sevens teams in 2017.[4]

2020

In August, Manly agreed to loan Hopoate to the New Zealand Warriors for four games.[5] A week later, the deal was canceled after Manly required Hopoate due to an injury to centre Moses Suli. Hopoate made his NRL debut for Manly-Warringah in round 16 of the 2020 NRL season, a 6–30 loss to the Melbourne Storm.[6]

In December, Hopoate signed a one-year contract with the Canberra Raiders starting in 2021.[7]

2022

In round 18 against the Melbourne Storm Hopoate played his first game for the capital club, and the following week against the New Zealand Warriors he scored his first try as a Canberra Raiders player. Hopoate played seven matches and scored three tries in the 2022 NRL season. Hopoate did not play in either of Canberra's finals games.[8]

2023

In round 13, Hopoate scored his first NRL hat-trick in Canberra's 33-26 victory over South Sydney at Accor Stadium.[9] Hopoate played a total of 20 matches for Canberra in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals.[10]

Statistics
Year Team Games Tries Pts
2020 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 5
2022 Canberra Raiders 7 3 12
2023 20 8 32
Totals 32 11 44

References
  1. "Albert Hopoate - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. "Manly to unleash freak with insane highlights reel". wwos.nine.com.au.
  3. "Stats Amazing | Albert Hopoate". New South Wales Rugby League. 31 August 2020.
  4. "A new Hopoate makes his mark". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 18 December 2017.
  5. "Albert Hopoate joins New Zealand Warriors on short-term loan". www.sportingnews.com.
  6. "NRL 2020 - Round 16 - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
  7. "NRL Transfers 2020: Albert Hopoate to Canberra Raiders, Manly Sea Eagles, Ricky Stuart". 5 December 2020.
  8. "Eels send ruthless title message, bury finals 'ghosts' in Raiders no-show: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 16 September 2022.
  9. "NRL Saturday: Raiders sneak home in emotional clash with South Sydney, Broncos score upset win over Warriors". www.abc.net.au.
  10. "Ricky turned losing a club legend into a winning season. Now for his biggest challenge - Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
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