Lehi Hopoate

[Kiwi Eagle]

He is a player I’m not letting myself get too excited about, simply because of who his old man is and the track record of Hopoates sticking around

Enjoy his attitude and how much he seems to be enjoying himself

 

[bringbackbeaver]

Hard to gage what his best position is. Gut feel is that when he fills out, he might be a centre. He's strong for a young fella. Good post contract metres. Just not sure he's dynamic enough in the modern game to be a top fullback.

 

[Phobia]

The problem is that we have six quality back line players all signed for several years, but only 5 spots to put them in.

Saab has signed until end of 2029
Koula until end of 2027
Garrick until end of 2026
Turbo until end of 2026
Hopoate until end of 2026
Talau until end of 2025

Something has to give, because they're all good enough to get a starting spot at another NRL club if they can't get one here.

Turbo will probably move position in 2026 I'd think. No idea where, but I'd figure by then Hoppa would have matured and Turbo would have slowed.

 

[manly al]

Just a very capable and natural footy player , impressive as a winger yesterday but ticking all of the boxes as a full back , especially as a rookie so early in his career .
Really have liked his quite reliable defence at the back and quite deceptive with his strong running and speed of the mark .
Naturally a must keep and certainly hopes that it can pan out that way

 

[The Who]

Just a very capable and natural footy player , impressive as a winger yesterday but ticking all of the boxes as a full back , especially as a rookie so early in his career .
Really have liked his quite reliable defence at the back and quite deceptive with his strong running and speed of the mark .
Naturally a must keep and certainly hopes that it can pan out that way

What's to stop him becoming our next 5/8?

 

[manly al]

What's to stop him becoming our next 5/8?

Yeah , mentioned a few times now that he should have the skill set and ability to transition there ,
But just how it will transpire in future seasons with Turbo and Brooks is anyone ;s guess .
No doubt Brookes at the end of his current contract and maybe with Cheery calling it a day in a couple of years , could also play at 7

 

[silvereagle]

What's to stop him becoming our next 5/8?

I did not want to say anything as the kid is coming along so well and is still so green. However it is an obvious question for the future. He has some real natural football smarts and awareness around him. He is also tough an can tackle and has some serious speed if you have watched him come through the juniors. He can play anywhere in our backline. I would definitely be testing him somewhere in and around those halves......when the time is right.

 

[MW66]

I remember watching him at the preseason trail match vs Souths. He came on with about 15-20 mins to go and just oozed class. He got rag dolled a couple of times but his timing and passing were sublime. Looked a player then and has gone from strength to strength.

 

[master blaster]

Just a very capable and natural footy player , impressive as a winger yesterday but ticking all of the boxes as a full back , especially as a rookie so early in his career .
Really have liked his quite reliable defence at the back and quite deceptive with his strong running and speed of the mark .
Naturally a must keep and certainly hopes that it can pan out that way

Sorry Al, Im not stalking you lol

 

[Spartan Eagle]

I think we should break the bank and sign this kid up long term.

 

[Shoe1]

What's to stop him becoming our next 5/8?

He certainly has great hands

 

[lsz]

Re 6 players into 5...it is not like we are not a group that seems to get a number of injuries

 

[frank stokes]

I think we should break the bank and sign this kid up long term.

I would like a little more evidence first but, on what I have seen, I tend to agree...

 

[47MVEagle]

I was very impressed with his leg strength in his yardage carries, he bent the line every time & made plenty of post-contact metres.

I know he’s a gun in every other aspect but assumed he would need time to fill out & grow, but he’s already got that strength & will only get stronger.

 

[MadMarcus]

Re 6 players into 5...it is not like we are not a group that seems to get a number of injuries

The Roosters would be looking to sign a 7th if they were in our shoes

 

[Simonmyers11]

He's such a talented footy player.

I disagree he is not dynamic enough to be a fullback, he has plenty of toe and an ability to beat a player. Looking at other current full-backs, plenty go alright and are not what you would class as dynamic - Teddy, Turbo, Mitchell, Edwards etc

He is just a solid smart and skilful footy player.

In saying that, I think we forgot how important having Turbo in the backline is. When he clicks, he finds himself all over the park barking orders. He reads the game so well, and by injecting himself into the backline on both sides, he acts like a second 5/8. The opposition gets put in two minds and Tom is then able to create chances and put his centre or winger into space.

 

[sheridanstand78]

Lehi is a very intelligent footballer. From what I saw so far, he has a cool head, takes the right options, his positional play is excellent and ability to read the game.

A player we must lock up long term. He is versatile and he is our next 1!

 

[Stewbojevic]

He's such a talented footy player.

I disagree he is not dynamic enough to be a fullback, he has plenty of toe and an ability to beat a player. Looking at other current full-backs, plenty go alright and are not what you would class as dynamic - Teddy, Turbo, Mitchell, Edwards etc

He is just a solid smart and skilful footy player.

In saying that, I think we forgot how important having Turbo in the backline is. When he clicks, he finds himself all over the park barking orders. He reads the game so well, and by injecting himself into the backline on both sides, he acts like a second 5/8. The opposition gets put in two minds and Tom is then able to create chances and put his centre or winger into space.

I’d make Turbo permanent captain. It got the best out of him

 

[Carl]

I’d make Turbo permanent captain. It got the best out of him

We could be the first club to turn down the nsw and qld captains and pick someone else as captain.

 

[Dion Johnson]

I’d make Turbo permanent captain. It got the best out of him

I am aligned with this one, I thought in 2021 he could have nailed the captaincy for 2022, definitely one of the smartest players around, though the demands of fullback and captaincy would be a challenge for him..