The 31-year-old left the Saints following two injury-plagued seasons, one of 11 players to leave the Totally Wicked Stadium at the end of the most recent season.

Yesterday at Headingley versus England, Hopoate earned his thirteenth and last cap for Tonga, leading Kristian Woolf’s team in Addin Fonua-Blake’s absence.

Before that confrontation, he stayed silent when questioned about his plans and where he would go next. He didn’t declare his retirement on social media until the end of the series.

The outside-back, who has played full-back for Tonga, has been an NRL player for the Saints, Manly Sea Eagles, Parramatta Eels, and Canterbury Bulldogs throughout his career.

Apart from playing twice for “Tonga Invitational,” he also represented New South Wales and the “Sydney Rugby League team,” which is also referred to as New South Wales City Origin.

The talented man from Manly, @will_hopoate, posted on Instagram, saying, “What a ride it’s been.” I want to thank my family, friends, and fans for their support! I’m grateful to all the teams I’ve played for, the coaching staff, and especially my teammates who have taught me how to play this game and helped me enjoy it!

I want to express my gratitude to Ty Sportsplayer Management, who I have worked with from the beginning to the end, for all of your assistance.

I want to thank my parents for all of their driving, sacrifices, and smacks in order to get me into first grade. Without you, Ofa Lahi Atu, I would not have survived.

And to you, my darling wife, for supporting me by moving houses whenever necessary, keeping them together at home, and going on the footy roller coaster with me.

I adore you because you made it possible for me to fulfill my dreams of being a husband, father, and football player all at once.

I’ve been incredibly grateful for this career I’ve been given. I eagerly await the upcoming chapter. Rugby League, thank you.