Another member of the Hopoate rugby league family may soon make his mark in the NRL after impressing during a strong pre-season with the Brisbane Broncos.
As the NRL’s free agency landscape continues to evolve, several key updates have emerged, including one involving a star forward from the Sydney Roosters who is set to extend his contract despite suffering a serious knee injury last year.
Egan Butcher, a prominent forward for the Roosters, is reportedly set to receive a contract extension after enduring a season-ending ACL injury in May 2024. The 24-year-old ruptured his ACL in Round 12 against the Raiders, leading to surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Despite this setback, Butcher is expected to be offered a fresh two-year deal, which would keep him at the club until the end of the 2027 season. According to reports, the Roosters’ medical team is confident that Butcher will be ready to play in Round 1 of 2025 against the Broncos. Butcher, who made his NRL debut in 2021, has played 56 games for the Roosters, and his return to full fitness is eagerly anticipated. In 2024, he began his campaign in the NSW Cup before being promoted to the NRL team under coach Trent Robinson. With the departure of key forwards Terrell May and Sitili Tupouniua, Butcher could find himself back in the starting lineup, adding depth to the Roosters’ forward pack.
Meanwhile, Sione Hopoate, the 26-year-old son of former rugby league star John Hopoate, has been making waves with the Brisbane Broncos. Currently on a train-and-trial contract, Hopoate has been impressing new Broncos coach Michael Maguire throughout the pre-season. His trial contract has been continually extended, as Maguire has expressed satisfaction with his performances leading up to the 2025 season. With the Broncos losing three wingers after the 2024 season, including veterans Corey Oates and Jordan Pereira retiring and Tristan Sailor moving to the Super League, Hopoate may have the opportunity to secure a spot in the team. The younger Hopoate previously earned recognition in the Queensland Cup, winning the Wynnum Manly Player of the Year award in 2024, and he will be hoping to carry that momentum into NRL trials. He joins a growing list of Hopoates who have played at the top level, following in the footsteps of his brothers Albert, Lehi, Jamil, and Will.