Albert Hopoate admits he was a little worried Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart might not keep his promise to bring him straight back in after missing a game to go to his sister Laumaile's wedding.
But his faith and career-best form has been repaid in spades with a two-year contract extension.
Coincidentally his re-signing has come just days before he faces his old NRL club, Manly, at Canberra Stadium on Sunday, where he'll come up against a former Raider who played a massive role in helping him overcome back-to-back knee reconstructions as an 18 and 19-year-old.