League: Dumped Hopoate turns to the church

SYDNEY - Banished to the rugby league wilderness, John Hopoate is preparing to become a Sunday school teacher.

Hopoate will preach the Mormon gospel to new members of the church now his Sundays are free after being sacked by Manly following a series of controversial incidents.

"At least now John will have the time to take another calling," church elder Will Wolfgramm said.

"I am not a football fan, so I can only judge John on what I have seen. And what I have seen when we are together is that he is an amazing man.

"I feel his spirit. He is a very religious man," said Wolfgramm, who consoled Hopoate after the National Rugby League judiciary imposed a 17-week suspension for his high shot on Cronulla forward Keith Galloway last Sunday.

Manly had already decided to terminate his contract.

Wolfgramm said Hopoate had indicated he had a desire to take up the missionary role.

It will not be the first time that Hopoate has heard and accepted the church's calling.

In 2001, when his backside-poking antics ended his career with the Wests Tigers, he and his wife, Brenda, with whom Hopoate has eight children, became missionaries.

But in the past year he has had to forgo those responsibilities because of playing commitments with the Sea Eagles.

Wolfgramm said he was not perturbed about accepting Hopoate - the most suspended player of the modern era - back into the church.

Hopoate is yet to reveal what he intends to do now his rugby league career has come to an end.

Manly's major sponsor, Max Delmege, has reportedly offered the Hopoate, 31, work as a builder's labourer or possibly as a real estate agent.

- NZPA