Lehi Hopoate

[KNUCKLES]

Kid will only get better. Looks like he may just be the best hopoate yet if he keeps up

 

[Will on the hill]

Thought he read all the attack that the Storm threw at him, another off season or two and he will have the strength to hold up players, nearly did on Meaney..

Defensive positioning was excellent. Always exactly where he was needed.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Defensive positioning was excellent. Always exactly where he was needed.

Do you keep him there if Koula is back in round 14?

 

[eaglebuzz]

Defensive positioning was excellent. Always exactly where he was needed.

Almost, he misread the play on the Katoa try.

 

[Will on the hill]

Do you keep him there if Koula is back in round 14?

Nope, straight back to reserve grade. Stoked to have him as backup but it's not his time just yet. Not because he wasn't great but because it'll be better for his long term development.

 

[Buughes]

Possibly keep him at fullback with koala in centre with turbo. Pretty good looking backline

 

[349]

Hoops looks good at 1, I would be tempted to go.
1 . Hoppa
2. Saab
3. Talua
4. Kolua
5. Garrick

Or if you want to leave Garrick in centres the Talua on the wing

 

[eaglebuzz]

Tonight was Garrick's best game at centre so far this year too. Even with Turbo injured we have some selection headaches in the backline.

 

[stoodamire]

Almost, he misread the play on the Katoa try.

He was defending on the line on the right post.

Did you expect him to teleport?

 

[stoodamire]

Tonight was Garrick's best game at centre so far this year too. Even with Turbo injured we have some selection headaches in the backline.

I thought Garrick was really good tonight too.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Nope, straight back to reserve grade. Stoked to have him as backup but it's not his time just yet. Not because he wasn't great but because it'll be better for his long term development.

Yeh I would give him another run there, see how he goes, he has made a few errors in NSW cup but he was pretty safe there tonight.

 

[eaglebuzz]

He was defending on the line on the right post.

Did you expect him to teleport?

He needed to be shading the ball, calling it a misread was too harsh on my part but he wasn't where he needed to be.

 

[eagle66]

In the 1st half, Lehi gave a Garrick a lot of early ball. Sure you can say it was catch and pass stuff, however, he didn't cramp up the outside players, Garrick in particular and this gave Garrick some opportunities .
Imagine if Haumole got ball like that.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Outstanding debut for a 19-year-old kid. He looked so composed and assured out there, didn't get pushed around (despite his slight frame), great positional play in defence, great hands in attack, and he never overplayed his hand. Couldn't be happier for him and his family.

 

[DanielLehi888]

I think Hoppa at fullback with Koula back in the centres. Once Hoppa gets his match fitness up more he will really cause headaches for the opposition.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Do you keep him there if Koula is back in round 14?

I would. I love Koula and he is my favourite player but I don’t think his position is 1.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Hoppa looks more of a natural fullback to my eyes than Koula. Love Tolu but feel he is a power athlete and they typically do not fare as well at the back with all the endurance. His speed is his asset and when he is gassed from working so hard, it blunts his biggest strength. Keep him at centre. Hoppa is lean, fit and plays a composed game. I’d pick him at 1 next week.

 

[DUFFMAN]

I don't think he will be at Manly long.
Dad only cares about the dollar, we could offer him $650,000 a season and when anyone else offers $50 more John will convince him the extra money is worthwhile.
Hopefully he won't listen to John and has a future here.

 

[LeonardCohen]

At the very least, he should take a spot on the wing when we get troops back.

 

[The Who]

At the very least, he should take a spot on the wing when we get troops back.

Probably, although Ray had a very strong match tonight in both attack and defence. I also love his passion. He is an NRL standard winger.