Rugby League: For whom the phone rings ...

By CHRIS BARCLAY

Sean Hoppe expected to watch the Kiwis' third test against Great Britain from the grandstand, but New Zealand league's leading test try-scorer will find himself much closer to the action.

Hoppe had his feet up in retirement and had almost given his last pair of boots away to a St Helens fan when Kiwis captain Stacey Jones' number flashed on his mobile.

"I recognised the number and I had seen him after the [second] test at the weekend. I thought he was calling up to see if I had got home okay."

The caller was anxious to check on the 33-test veteran's welfare, but it was Kiwis coach Gary Freeman, not the skipper, who was inquiring.

"I thought someone was winding me up when Gary asked how my fitness was," Hoppe said.

It was no laughing matter for Freeman, who turned to the Hoppe, 31, to solve an injury crisis ahead of the test at Wigan on Sunday.

Clinton Toopi's tour-ending broken hand, and a gashed knee which has left Robbie Paul with only a 10 per cent chance of playing, the Kiwis with only six fit backs, so Hoppe was approached to fill the void.

Fortunately, Hoppe, a dedicated trainer, had just returned from the gym, where he has maintained shape despite playing what he thought was his 301st and last first-class game when he turned out for St Helens against the Kiwis on October 25.

Hoppe joined the depleted Kiwis squad at training and, despite receiving some jibes about his age, he slotted in smoothly.

"I'm familiar with most of them and a lot of the guys were coming through at the Warriors when I was there."

Hoppe believed he had played his last Kiwis test when he left the Auckland club after five seasons for England at the end of 1999.

Now he finds himself in contention for a first international appearance for New Zealand since the 1999 Anzac Day test against Australia.

"I feel sorry for the guys that are injured, but it's a good feeling," said Hoppe, who also played for New Zealand Maori in the 2000 World Cup.

"Running around, nothing seems too different. Some of the moves the guys are using are the same calls as when I was in the Kiwis anyway."

Hoppe, who has scored 17 tries in 33 tests, always believed this year would mark the end of his career, but the actual retirement date has been pushed back so often he is now reluctant to use the term "finale".

He thought his decade-long first-grade career was about to end at various stages during this year's Super League playoffs, but St Helens amonth ago got to the final, which they won.

A tour match against the Kiwis was part of their reward and Hoppe proudly captained the club against his countrymen at Knowsley Rd. "It was a marvellous night. I finally thought that was it," he recalled.

Instead, a Kiwis series win over Great Britain will be - dare he say it - a fitting farewell.

Hoppe may be short of recent matchplay, but he will not be short of belief should he make Freeman's starting 13 when it is named today.

"You've got to go in being confident or you're in trouble and shouldn't be there," he said.

The Aucklander, who intends to stay in England for at least another couple of years with his partner and two children, said it was not difficult to mentally tune up for the task ahead. "It's a bit easier because I never got into holiday mode."

Hoppe was a spectator for the first two tests at Blackburn and Huddersfield, but admitted it was hard to assess the strengths of Great Britain. "It's different when you're watching at the ground; you really have to analyse it on video, but they are going in with their tails up.

"They have taken a lot out of the second test [14-14] and should have won it with a dropped goal."

Hoppe had barely given thought to extending his try-scoring record and joked that some of his closest challengers might not give him the opportunity.

"I might be outside one of those guys so they might not pass to me. Nigel Vagana [12] should leapfrog my record in no time. The record is there for the taking for anyone."

- NZPA