10 Jun 2014

Hopate earns New South Wales Origin call-up

5:38 pm on 10 June 2014

The Parramatta back Will Hopoate has earned a recall to the New South Wales rugby league team for the second State of Origin game, three seasons since making his interstate debut.

Hopoate was chosen on the wing in Blues coach Laurie Daley's side for the return match in Sydney next Wednesday in place of the injured Brett Morris.

St George Illawarra's Josh Dugan has been picked at centre to take the place of Josh Morris who is also sidelined with injury.

With Gold Coast back-rower Greg Bird returning from suspension, NSW captain Paul Gallen moves to prop to accommodate the Blues enforcer.

That pushes James Tamou onto the bench with Tony Williams dumped from the Blues side which leads the series 1-0 and is searching to break Queensland's eight-year stranglehold on Origin.

Hopoate returned to the NRL this season this season after two years away on a Mormon mission and has been a key figure in the Eels' resurgence under new coach Brad Arthur.

NSW side: Jarryd Hayne, Will Hopoate, Josh Dugan, Michael Jennings, Daniel Tupou, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Paul Gallen (c), Robbie Farah, Aaron Woods, Ryan Hoffman, Beau Scott, Greg Bird. Interchange: James Tamou, Anthony Watmough, Trent Merrin, Luke Lewis.