Will Hopoate has officially withdrawn from the Dyldam Parramatta Eels side for this weekend’s NRL Auckland Nines and will not be travelling with the Blue and Gold to New Zealand.
Hopoate pulled up with some tightness in the right groin late in a field session on Wednesday morning, and will miss the tournament as a precautionary measure while he receives treatment and rests the injury.
Hopoate will be replaced in the Nines competition by Bureta Faraimo, with the 18-man squad Captained by Chris Sandow.
Faraimo debuted for the Blue and Gold in 2014 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, making an immediate impression with two tries in his first match - click through to see the highlights from the winger's first NRL game!
Head Coach Brad Arthur, along with Tim Mannah and Chris Sandow, will attend this evening’s launch of the NRL 2015 Calendar in Auckland, while the Eels team will also make an appearance on Friday afternoon at the Aotea Square NRL Members Lounge and Fan Zone.
The Eels will face the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Newcastle Knights and St George-Illawarra Dragons in their initial pool matches - click through to see the Blue and Gold’s draw and broadcast details for the weekend!
Updated - Dyldam Parramatta Eels:
1. Bureta Faraimo
2. Semi Radradra
3. John Folau
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Reece Robinson
6. Corey Norman
7. Chris Sandow (c)
8. Junior Paulo
9. Kaysa Pritchard
10. Peni Terepo
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Joseph Paulo
14. David Gower
15. Kenny Edwards
16. Halauafu Lavaka
17. Pauli Pauli
18. Luke Kelly
Head Coach: Brad Arthur
