Bit of an overview on where he is with his progress,
wwos.nine.com.au
Yet another Hopoate is being tipped for a bright NRLfuture as exciting Manly teenager Lehi continues to turn heads.
Lehi, 19, is the eighth of 11 children to John and Brenda Hopoate and is line to become the fifth of the offspring to play NRL or NRLW - joining Will, Jamil, Albert and Kalosipani.
Father John, 50, played 209 NRL games and represented NSW, Australia and Tonga during a colourful career.
I'm sure his stud fee would be high, big Hoppa," Manly prop Matt Lodge told Wide World of Sports.
"Lehi is a special player, an exciting talent who has definitely got a bright future. He forced his way over to Vegas and jumped a few people there - I'm sure it won't be long until people see him out there in first grade."
Lehi has been named to play in the centres for the Sea Eagles' NSW Cup team against Parramatta on Sunday but fullback is viewed as his best long term position
He's got a lot of time on his side," Lodge said.
"We'll all look after him and help him get to where the team needs him. He went really well all preseason and he's a very fast kid.
"Growing up in that family, he's a natural footy player who makes things look easy. And most importantly he's a really nice, good kid."
John told WWOS that calmness was Lehi's best attribute.
"He's also got good defence and what better person than Tommy Turbo (Trbojevic) telling him what to do?" Hopoate said.
"He's also got Brett Stewart, the backs coach at Manly, so two of the greatest fullbacks to ever play for Manly teaching him. He's getting a lot from them
Manly last year re-signed Lehi on a three year contract with coach Anthony Seibold saying "we want to build him up physically and help with his game awareness" before playing NRL.
But after mixing with the big boys during preseason trials, it appears a first grade debut could come this season.
"They took him to to Vegas for experience, which was good for him, the baby," John said.
He's progressing a lot faster than what everyone thought he would, so hopefully he'll get a chance this year."
After much deliberation, John said Lehi probably ranked second among his children in terms of raw talent.
"Lehi is right up there and is a gun basketball player as well. But if I was to pick the best all around kid, I'd have to say Jamil, who's locked up at the moment (for cocaine supply).
The drama was he followed the wrong path sometimes. But yeah, four kids have already played at the highest level.
"Someone told me that is the most in rugby league history. I've done a lot of coaching with them myself so I'm very proud, very happy.
"We're real close as a family. My older kids saw me training and playing and the younger ones just wanted to follow."
Hype builds over Manly teen as Hopoate empire grows
'I'm sure his stud fee would be high, big Hoppa'
wwos.nine.com.au
EXCLUSIVE: Hype builds over exciting Manly teenager as Hopoate empire grows
Yet another Hopoate is being tipped for a bright NRLfuture as exciting Manly teenager Lehi continues to turn heads.
Lehi, 19, is the eighth of 11 children to John and Brenda Hopoate and is line to become the fifth of the offspring to play NRL or NRLW - joining Will, Jamil, Albert and Kalosipani.
Father John, 50, played 209 NRL games and represented NSW, Australia and Tonga during a colourful career.
I'm sure his stud fee would be high, big Hoppa," Manly prop Matt Lodge told Wide World of Sports.
"Lehi is a special player, an exciting talent who has definitely got a bright future. He forced his way over to Vegas and jumped a few people there - I'm sure it won't be long until people see him out there in first grade."
Lehi has been named to play in the centres for the Sea Eagles' NSW Cup team against Parramatta on Sunday but fullback is viewed as his best long term position
He's got a lot of time on his side," Lodge said.
"We'll all look after him and help him get to where the team needs him. He went really well all preseason and he's a very fast kid.
"Growing up in that family, he's a natural footy player who makes things look easy. And most importantly he's a really nice, good kid."
John told WWOS that calmness was Lehi's best attribute.
"He's also got good defence and what better person than Tommy Turbo (Trbojevic) telling him what to do?" Hopoate said.
"He's also got Brett Stewart, the backs coach at Manly, so two of the greatest fullbacks to ever play for Manly teaching him. He's getting a lot from them
Manly last year re-signed Lehi on a three year contract with coach Anthony Seibold saying "we want to build him up physically and help with his game awareness" before playing NRL.
But after mixing with the big boys during preseason trials, it appears a first grade debut could come this season.
"They took him to to Vegas for experience, which was good for him, the baby," John said.
He's progressing a lot faster than what everyone thought he would, so hopefully he'll get a chance this year."
After much deliberation, John said Lehi probably ranked second among his children in terms of raw talent.
"Lehi is right up there and is a gun basketball player as well. But if I was to pick the best all around kid, I'd have to say Jamil, who's locked up at the moment (for cocaine supply).
The drama was he followed the wrong path sometimes. But yeah, four kids have already played at the highest level.
"Someone told me that is the most in rugby league history. I've done a lot of coaching with them myself so I'm very proud, very happy.
"We're real close as a family. My older kids saw me training and playing and the younger ones just wanted to follow."
