WILL Hopoate has a higher power behind him as he looks to wreck England’s Test hopes – the power of his faith.
And the departing St Helens star believes the quiet life by shutting him and his family away from rugby league brings more out of him on the pitch.
Tonga ace Hopoate is one of the Pacific island’s key weapons as they look to bounce back from Sunday’s narrow 22-18 first Test defeat.
His popularity almost matches his talent – stand-in England skipper Jack Welsby was keen to seek him out so they could swap shirts in the tunnel at St Helens.
And devout Mormon Hopoate believes having ‘family home evenings’ with wife Jimi and their four children, where nothing but the gospel is told and spoken about, provides the balance that helps him do the business on the pitch.
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He said: “Part of our faith is a night designated – ours is usually Monday – for family time.
“It’s pretty much no technology, we might watch a gospel-centred message on TV, and there’s discussing things as a family.
“I might teach a little lesson and the kids will talk about what they’ve got coming up and share things they’re grateful for. We’ll sing a couple of hymns and say prayers.
“My kids are quite young but it’s a pattern we want to instil. That was something I grew up with as a kid – every Monday night was designated to family home evening.
“And that helps with rugby, absolutely. It provides balance and stability. It’s not always rugby, rugby, rugby – sometimes that can be a bit overwhelming when it’s too much.
“It helps bring excitement and joy to training and games.”
Hopoate, who played full back in the first Test but lined up for St Helens at centre, has one definite in his club career, it will not be at St Helens.
Where his next stop will be, who knows? He admits he has a lot to weigh up, including where his children will go to school.
The 31-year-old added: “After the dust settles on this series, we’ll see what’s happening moving forward.
“I’ve a few things planned and things I want to discuss. The kids go to school here, that’s probably the biggest decision – they’re quite young but they started school here, so that’s all they know.
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“They’ve made friends, so the hardest thing would be for them to say goodbye to them, as well as friends my wife and I have made in the church community, the St Helens community and people we live by.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there but I’m just savouring my time in a Tonga jersey. Every time I pull it on, it’s such a privilege for me to represent my heritage and family.
“That gives me added motivation. I can represent the sacrifices my parents and grandparents made to help me live the enjoyable life I do.
“Both parents were born in Tonga and emigrated to Australia during their youth. It’s a small way I can hopefully pay them back.”