Manly whiz kid William Hopoate will today announce his decision to take a two-year break from the NRL to become a Mormon missionary.
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The Sea Eagles have called an urgent press conference at the Sydney Academy of Sport regarding an update "around one of the game's rising stars and his immediate future".
Despite lucrative offers from half a dozen rival clubs, the deeply religious Hopoate will turn his back on the riches on offer to follow his faith.
Hopoate, 19, hinted at the move in a recent Sun-Herald interview when he said: "I'm deeply religious, and the missionary service is something I'm taking into consideration.
"I'm weighing up my options but it's important to me."
The son of Manly legend John Hopoate, William is considered such a hot prospect that he was considered an Origin bolter despite playing fewer than half a dozen NRL games.
He made his representative debut for City last weekend.
The decision is a massive blow for the Sea Eagles, who were desperate to retain him.
Hopoate will follow in the footsteps of his uncle, Albert, who left the Sydney Roosters in 2005 to fulfil his missionary duties.
