Lehi Hopoate

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

Lehi reminds me of a bloke we had who went on a mission...
Big brother Will, who had amazing hands and skills, but Lehi is quicker, I think.
Remember that stunning flick pass for Glen Stewart to score that freakish try in the corner vs Warriors in the 2011 GF ?
Also many moments where Will just looked so silky with time on his side and could catch and pass in an instant hitting his team mates every time....that's what Ive seen from Lehi in younger grades and again in NRL vs Storm.
THere's also an inner strength where both look skinny, yet seem hard to put down and can break tackles with a shimmy, fend and timing....yep I see Lehi like a faster Will in terms of footy ability and remember, Will was rated a Premier player in hot demand before leaving the game, but unfortunately he never came back the same.

We only had Will for one year of first grade, but he won a premiership with the Sea Eagles. He was never the same after his 2 years absence. Chased slimy $$ from the Eels.

 

[Eagle 1]

What a classy debut, played like a first team regular, Lehi at 19 just oozes class. He's going to be a big part of our future going forward.

 

[JenEagle]

I really hope he stays and doesn’t mess up his career. Surely John Hoppa has learnt with will, Jamil and Albert before him what to avoid.

Will could have been anything but that two years sabbatical seemed to stunt his development.

 

[lsz]

We only had Will for one year of first grade, but he won a premiership with the Sea Eagles. He was never the same after his 2 years absence. Chased slimy $$ from the Eels.

Set his family up for life - can not say it was a dumb decision as he clearly places life outside of football ahead of anything

 

[mickqld]

What a classy debut, played like a first team regular, Lehi at 19 just oozes class. He's going to be a big part of our future going forward.

Needs to be a big part now. I hope he doesn't get dropped back next week. Put him on the wing with Koula at fullback.

 

[Eagle 1]

I really hope he stays and doesn’t mess up his career. Surely John Hoppa has learnt with will, Jamil and Albert before him what to avoid.

Will could have been anything but that two years sabbatical seemed to stunt his development.

When Hoppa snr was being interviewed in the sheds, he was pretty coy with a lot of questions that Johns was asking him. You just know his brains ticking over thinking wonder what i can get for my youngest at Manly or at another club.

 

[lsz]

Needs to be a big part now. I hope he doesn't get dropped back next week. Put him on the wing with Koula at fullback.

Mate is not a winger - look at the modern winger and how they bring the ball back / get sets going.
He would get folded every single time.

 

[bringbackbeaver]

Got to back him at 1 for a few games to see if the debut was a fluke or if he gets better. Koula also looked good at 1 but we know he can hold his own in the centres . Lehi looks to a fullback through and through . And strong for a 19 yr old

 

[Eagle 1]

Got to back him at 1 for a few games to see if the debut was a fluke or if he gets better. Koula also looked good at 1 but we know he can hold his own in the centres . Lehi looks to a fullback through and through . And strong for a 19 yr old

Agree, just wish he wss another 5kg heavier tho.

 

[maxta]

I was so confused by the Will Hopoate 3 year Mormon break from footy.
I have my own beliefs but was thinking he had a god given talent on the field and perhaps could send more a message through his footy than door knocks, but in saying that, Jm probably a bit ignorant as to how their religion works

 

[Rocky]

Interesting positional decision to be made if Koula is fit for the next game.

I'm genuinely torn whether to give Koula an extended stint at fullback or just keep Lehi there.

If Koula plays fullback i would rather see Lehi in the centres but I'm guessing Tommy Talau or Garrick wouldn't be shifted to the wing to accommodate that.

 

[ManlyTragic]

Agree, just wish he wss another 5kg heavier tho.

Maybe he can have a chat to schuster?

Just sayin’

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Wow he's not even in our NRL squad until 2026 (is that right?) but selected again at fullback, with Koula pushed back to centre, Talau pushed back to wing (and Vaega pushed out).

 

[Dion Johnson]

Wow he's not even in our NRL squad until 2026 (is that right?) but selected again at fullback, with Koula pushed back to centre, Talau pushed back to wing (and Vaega pushed out).

I was thinking the same thing when he was selected for the Storm game, there is one development player spot open still, maybe they could / have upgraded him there.

 

[KNUCKLES]

Maybe they will reward him with a top 30 spot this year. He is in the shop window now

I was thinking the same thing when he was selected for the Storm game, there is one development player spot open still, maybe they could / have upgraded him there.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Maybe they will reward him with a top 30 spot this year. He is in the shop window now

Yeh I think he has surprised a few, Faulalo was in front of him and he has now overtaken him in terms of selection.

If he does make it into the 30 it’s a reward for his hard work.

 

[Carl]

I was thinking the same thing when he was selected for the Storm game, there is one development player spot open still, maybe they could / have upgraded him there.

Isn't there a mid season cut off beyond which you can select players outside the top 30 and development lists?

 

[Dion Johnson]

Isn't there a mid season cut off beyond which you can select players outside the top 30 and development lists?

I am uncertain on that one, I do know that we need to have a full 30 man squad by June 30TH.

 

[Disco]

You can select development players from round 11 onwards so we are all good there

 

[Dion Johnson]

Fox Sports Snippet

TEEN ROOKIE PLAYS HIMSELF INTO MANLY’S NO.1 JERSEY

Sea Eagles speedster Tolu Koula has been named to return from a shoulder injury this week — but not in the position many might’ve expected.

When Tom Trbojevic suffered a hamstring injury in Round 10, coach Anthony Seibold faced a big decision on who would replace his superstar No.1.

Previously it’s been Reuben Garrick that’s shifted to the back, but this time Seibold went all-in on Koula — who has had aspirations of a permanent switch there down the track.

The 21-year-old shone when he stepped into the role in Round 11, finishing with a try assist, three linebreak assists and over 200 running metres.

But then disaster struck when he was ruled out the following week due to an AC joint injury.

That opened the door for 19-year-old Lehi Hopoate to make his NRL debut against the Storm, of all clubs.

Hopoate started the year in New South Wales Cup playing centre before switching to fullback in Round 6 and finding a home there with four tries, three try assists and five linebreaks in six games, while also averaging four tackle busts and 166 running metres per game.

He carried that form into first grade where set up two tries, got two linebreak assists and took 17 runs for 133 metres in Manly’s upset win over Melbourne.

Evidently that performance was enough and Seibold has put his faith in Hopoate until Trbojevic returns in Round 18.

There has been talk though of Trbojevic moving to the centres long-term to ease the stress on his hamstrings. Perhaps, this next month with Hopoate at fullback might influence Seibold’s view on that.