Manly Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler says the team is in no rush to recall Albert Hopoate from his loan at the NZ Warriors after their 56-16 drubbing against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday night.
Last week, the Sea Eagles loaned out utility Hopoate to the Warriors on a month-long deal, but the 19-year-old wasn't named in Todd Payten's side to face the Canterbury Bulldogs on Sunday.
Hopoate is expected to make his debut next weekend when the Warriors host the Newcastle Knights in Tamworth with George Jennings set to return to the Parramatta Eels with his loan due to expire after round 15.
The Sea Eagles are facing an injury crisis with their outside backs after Moses Suli injured his foot during the defeat to South Sydney while Tevita Funa was put on report twice during the match and is facing a suspension.
If ruled out of next weekend's clash against the Melbourne Storm, they woud join the likes of Tom Trbojevic and Brendan Elliot on the sidelines.
Hasler was coy when asked about recalling Hopoate but admitted it was unlikely.
"Albert isn't going to solve the situation, but we'll have to assess to see where we're at," says Hasler.
"We'll have a look at Suli's injury and see what the report is on Tevita as well. It could be anything until we get a scan we won't know."
Adding more fuel to the situation was Albert's infamous dad John, who went on social media and said "we don't ever want to come back" alongside a story of Hasler's quotes.
Hopoate is yet to make his NRL debut and is off-contract at the end of the season.
For the Rabbitohs, Wayne Bennett said the win was one of the best of his career after they led 38-0 at halftime, the club's biggest ever lead after 40 minutes.
Bennett was back in the coaches box for the first time in a fortnight after being stood down over a COVID-19 breach where he dined at a restaurant, breaking the NRL's strict protocols.
"It was a great game of football from a South Sydney point of view … wonderful football," says Bennett.
"I was thinking about that at one stage, particularly against a quality team. Certainly in the modern era, it's one of the better starts I can think of."
Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters all but secured their spot in the finals with a 38-16 win over the Wests Tigers, with twin brothers Brett and Josh Morris both scoring doubles.
Earlier, the Canberra Raiders beat the Gold Coast Titans 36-16 to keep within striking distance of the NRL's top four.
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