The NZ Warriors have secured the services of utility back Albert Hopoate from the Manly Sea Eagles on a month-long loan.
Hopoate will join the Warriors' at Terrigal base on the New South Wales Central Coast and will spend at least four weeks with the team, before returning to Manly in round 19.
The 19-year-old is yet to make his NRL debut, but the Sea Eagles are hopeful of seeing him play in the next month.
Hopoate is the younger brother of Canterbury-Bulldogs fullback Will Hopoate and son of 1993-2005 NRL player John Hopoate.
"We're hugely grateful to [head coach] Des Hasler and the Sea Eagles as well as the NRL for the support they've given us in making Albert available," says Warriors recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan.
"We're delighted to have Albert on board. He was a prodigious talent coming through the junior grades, representative sides and Origin age teams for New South Wales.
"Unfortunately, injury has curtailed his NRL aspirations so far but we are looking forward to seeing him play for the Warriors."
He will be the fifth player to join the Warriors on loan this season, following Poasa Faamausili from the Sydney Roosters, Jack Hetherington from the Penrith Panthers, then the Parramatta Eels duo of Daniel Alvaro and George Jennings.
"Again we're so thankful to the NRL and especially to Des and Manly for allowing Albert to join us," says Warriors chief executive Cameron George.
"It's a great gesture and a further indication of how the loan system is a win-win for both clubs involved. We've been delighted with the way the arrangements have worked for us."
Loanees Hetherington, Alvaro and Jennings are all still with the Warriors, although the former could return to his parent club after receiving a four week suspension during the Warriors' win over the Sea Eagles last weeked.
On top of that, Alvaro and Jennings have more game left of their loan deals, and the Warriors could look to extend the pair for a further four weeks.
The Warriors face the Canterbury Bulldogs in their next match on August 23 and if Hopoate is named, he could face his older brother Will.
Join us next sunday for live updates of the NZ Warriors v Canterbury Bulldogs NRL clash
