sport, rugby-league

Canterbury star Will Hopoate has revealed his preference is to play fullback but he remains in the dark if he'll start the NRL season there or at centre in round one. The Bulldogs' backline remains one of the mysteries of the summer's pre-season, with Hopoate training at both fullback and centre before their opening-round clash with the Warriors. The 26-year-old finished last year at the back for Canterbury and also started Saturday's trial there against Canberra, before he was shifted to centre after 30 minutes and not returning to the field after halftime. While he said he'd be happy to play centre if required by coach Dean Pay, Hopoate would rather keep the No.1 jumper. "Obviously I enjoy playing fullback," Hopoate told AAP at the Fox League launch. "You get to run around the field rather than being stuck on one side of the field. "Most of my juniors I played in the centres, it's something I enjoy as well. "But I like playing fullback, just the roaming factor." Hopoate is likely in a battle with 21-year-old Bulldogs recruit Nick Meaney for the No.1 jersey, with both having spent time there in trials and pre-season training. Marcelo Montoya and highly-heralded Kiwi youngster Morgan Harper are the other options at right centre, with Kerrod Holland looking set to kick goals and start on the left. "It's a bit of a moving wheel," Hopoate said. "Whatever way Dean goes someone is going to have to miss out. "(Nick)'s actually been training really good. "I didn't realise how fast he was until he trained. He's just a natural athlete. "Good young kid and humble, he's got a big future." Australian Associated Press

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