- Came off the bench and produced huge metres in big Bulldogs win
- Was a debut to remember with his whole family in the stands
- Club has released video of the emotional moment he told his mum
The Bulldogs have unearthed a star of the future in forward Lipoi Hopoi and now the club has shared the emotional moment he told his mum that he would be making his NRL debut.
Hopoi has been toiling in reserve grade for the Sydney Roosters and Bulldogs for years before finally getting his opportunity against the Knights on Friday night.
He took the opportunity with both hands as well, coming off the bench to play 38 minutes and produce a gut-busting 15 runs for 121 metres in the 32-2 win.
And he had plenty of support in the stands, including his mother who he told the day before that he was going to realise his NRL dream.
Bulldogs debutant Lipoi Hopoi lets the tears flow as he tells his mother he has earned a shot at the NRL
As soon as Lapoi called his mother, her instincts kicked in and she immediately asked: ‘what’s wrong? Are you all right?’
After reassuring her that he was fine, Lapoi then asked if she was bringing the family up to watch him play reserve grade against Newcastle.
She confirmed that they were all coming up and were leaving ‘at about three or four’.
‘You don’t have to mum because I am going to make my debut for NRL,’ he said.
His mother’s reaction would bring a tear to a glass eye.
‘Oh my gosh are you serious Lipoi?’ she asked as she broke into tears.
‘Are you happy?’
He replied: ‘Yeah I am, it still hasn’t hit me yet.’
‘Oh my gosh Lipoi this is everything that you have worked for,’ she said, still crying.
‘Let me say a quick prayer for your please.’
Hopoi has been toiling in reserve grade for the Bulldogs and made the most of his NRL debut with 15 runs for 121 metres off the bench
Hopoi’s mother said his late Nana (pictured) would be so proud of the work he put in to achieve his NRL dream
Then as Lipoi’s mother started her prayer, the reality did set in for the Dogs latest player and he started to cry too.
The tears kept flowing as Lipoi’s mother said ‘your Nana would be so proud of you’.
His grandmother recently passed away and his social media profile shows an image of him with her to honour her memory.
‘Take this opportunity son,’ his mother said.
‘You’ve worked so hard for this. I am so proud of you … my heart, I can’t stop.’
The emotional exchange brought plenty of tears in footy land as well, with even non-Bulldogs supporters misting up watching the video.
‘How TF am I tearing up at a Westfield food court over this?’ one asked.
‘Bro got me tearing up, what an incredible player and a great debut absolutely played his heart out got such a bright future,’ another posted.
‘I love these videos but there’s always some bastard cutting onions nearby when I watch them,’ added another.
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