Injured Star Signs New Roosters Contract; Hopoate Shines in NRL

The Roosters are reportedly set to hand an injured gun a contract extension after he missed half of the 2024 season.

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Meanwhile, yet another Hopoate could be set to stamp his mark on the NRL after a strong pre-season with the Broncos.

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INJURED ROOSTERS GUN’S EXTENSION

The Roosters are reportedly set to hand gun forward Egan Butcher a contract extension after suffering a season-ending knee injury in May last year.

Butcher ruptured his ACL in Round 12 against the Raiders, going under the knife which saw him miss the remainder of the Roosters’ 2024 campaign.

Now, according to Code Sports, the 24-year-old is set to be handed a fresh two-year deal, with his current contract expiring at the end of the 2025 season.

Butcher has played 56 NRL games, having made his debut in 2021 against the Raiders in Round 12 of that season.

In a positive update, Roosters medicos are reportedly confident Butcher will be free to take the field in Round 1 against the Broncos in 2025.

Sydney Roosters back-rower Egan Butcher. NRL ImagerySource: Supplied

He began his 2024 campaign in NSW Cup before winning a bench spot under Trent Robinson until he eventually suffered his injury.

In 2023 he played in the back row majority of the year, and Butcher could be set to return to the starting side with both Terrell May and Sitili Tupouniua departing.

ANOTHER HOPOATE’S NRL EMERGENCE

Sione Hopoate has reportedly impressed Broncos coach Michael Maguire, with yet another member of the rugby league family reportedly stamping his mark in the NRL.

The 26-year-old is currently on a train and trial contract with the Red Hill club, taking part in Brisbane’s pre-season campaign.

According to WWOS, that deal has been continually extended by the new Broncos coach, who has been happy with his efforts ahead of the 2025 season.

“Madge has been very positive about Sione and keeps extending his trial period,” Hopoate’s manager Matt Adamson said.

“He has told him to keep doing what he is doing and hopefully he will get a run in the trials soon.”

The Broncos lost three wingers following the end of the 2024 season, with Corey Oates and Jordan Pereira retiring alongside Tristan Sailor’s move to the Super League.

Sione is yet another son of John Hopoate, who played for the Sea Eagles and Tigers alongside representative appearances with NSW and Australia.

Albert, Lehi, Jamil and Will Hopoate have previously played first grade, while Sione won Wynnum Manly’s player of the year award in 2024 in Queensland Cup.