Michael Chammas, writing for The Sydney Morning Herald,
quotes Sid Going, on the matter of William Hopoate leaving Rugby
League to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. Going is one of the greatest halfbacks ever to
play for the highly celebrated New Zealand All
Blacks,
“Going is convinced Hopoate's 24-month hiatus won't derail the
19-year-old's promising career, but ensure he returns a better
footballer than when he left,” writes Chammas.
Many opinions have surfaced on the matter since one of the game’s
brightest stars, William Hopoate, announced he will leave the
playing field for the mission field. Will made headlines as a
player in Origin II and helped his team win the 2011 NRL
premiership.
Sid Going once played in similar shoes, according to the news story. ''Many people thought that I was throwing away a rugby career when I decided to go.” The legend player, who was decorated by the Queen for his prowess feels otherwise. ''If I didn't go, I don't know if I would have had the career I did.''
“All Blacks legend Sid Going, who played 86 matches for New Zealand after his two-year Mormon mission in the 1960s, believes Will Hopoate is destined for greatness when he returns from his sabbatical in 2014,” writes Chammas.
No one can be sure what course William’s life will take after his service in the Australia Brisbane Mission; but Sid Going, who has been over the same course, applauds his present faith.
Read the entire article at The Sydney Morning Herald