Parramatta star Will Hopoate has pulled out of this weekend’s NRL Auckland Nines to recover from a groin strain.
The Eels said Hopoate suffered some tightness during a training session on Wednesday and will miss the tournament “as a precautionary measure while he receives treatment and rests the injury”.
He will be replaced by Bureta Faraimo in the 18-man squad, captained by Chris Sandow.