Dyldam Parramatta Eels centre Will Hopoate says it will be an honour to play alongside Fuifui Moimoi in the cult forward's 200th NRL game on Saturday.
The Blue and Gold take on the Cronulla Sharks in Round 21, and for Eels fans the game will be both a vital step towards securing a finals berth, and a celebration of Moimoi’s “#foohundred”.
“I’m grateful to be there, just to be part of this milestone for Fui,” Hopoate said.
“He was a player that, growing up, I loved watching, so now to play with him is an honour and a privilege.”
“He’s been such a hero of the club and hopefully we can come away with the win for his special milestone.”
Last week, the Eels broke a four-game losing streak with a thrilling 24-18 win over the Gold Coast Titans on the road, in Hopoate’s first match back from a shoulder injury sustained back in Origin II.
And while he’s still working with coaching staff and physiotherapists to maintain his shoulder, Hopoate says it was a relief to be back on the field, especially as part of a side that had been focussed on enjoying its football in the lead up to the Titans game.
“I copped a few knocks, but it’s feeling good,” Hopoate said.
“Sometimes we might get caught up in statistics, so we really wanted just to take it back to the basics and play footy cause we love playing the sport.”
