Hoppa is a first grader every day of the week, he maybe inexperienced but he has class and skill that outweigh a few of the others in the backline.Like I said in the Game Day thread, the biggest problem I can foresee with Lehi Hopoate ... is dad, John.
Lehi is first grade quality, he's proven that since his debut. The problem is, where does he play when everyone is on deck?? As the most inexperienced he is arguably the odd man out there and I can't see his old man wanting him to languish in NSW Cup or sitting on Manly's bench hoping someone gets injured when he could be earning good money and be a first choice start elsewhere. There are NRL clubs out there who would pay good money for this kid.
Its going to be tough to keep the kid because 6 doesn't go into 5 and John won't be shy about shopping his boy around should he think there isn't much of a chance to play regular first grade at Manly.
I would have him over Garrick and Talau.
He has more speed than Talau for the wing position and returns the ball well, Talau is a strong carrier of the ball and is better suited to centre, for me it’s who misses selection when all is fit is between Garrick and Talau.