*File this under off season nonsense
With the news of Lehi getting upgraded into the top 30 it got me thinking of the Hopoate family as a whole.
The talent, the good times....the bad and I was interested in how you would rate the respective Hopoates and their impact on the game as it stands.
So here goes my current view.
1.John Hopoate
Personally I have it quite tight between John and Will as it stands. Though john shades it with 3 straight GFs and a premiership. 14 seasons in the NRL. Got 2 tests and a SOO appearance however this was in 1995 with SL players out.
Mad man though, but in the field especially in the 90s he was a player.
2.Will Hopoate
Premiership winner and by god he looked like he could be anything. However 2 years out of the game would set anyone back and it certainly did Will.
Still a great player but never recaptured that X factor. 184 NRL game, 31 ESL games, 5 origins and 6 tests for Tonga.
Strong effort
3.Lehi Hopoate
Small sample size but I expect Lehi to race to the top of this list in no time. 14 NRL game for 9 tries and already 3 tests for Tonga. He looks special.
4.Albert Hopoate
Huge wraps come through but some injuries may have just taken that sparkle from him. Solid NRL first grader with 41 games under his belt including 5 for Manly. I expect he'll get plenty more without ever pushing on to higher honours
5. Pani Hopoate
Representing the women, Pani takes no5. Only 20 years old and already 24 NRLW appearences plus a couple of test appearences for Tonga. Tbh I've not followed her performances too closely so maybe deserves higher?
6.Jamil Hopoate
The son that appears to have more of Johns negative side. Made 12 first grade appearences for the Broncos and anyone playing first grade can be proud of that. PArobably would have made more had he not been the type to so easily find trouble.
7.Albert Hopoate (Johns Brother)
May be showing my age but remember Albert in juniors with a bit of hype and some despair when he went to the Roosters. Never made grade though so rounds out the list.
What are your thoughts?
With the news of Lehi getting upgraded into the top 30 it got me thinking of the Hopoate family as a whole.
The talent, the good times....the bad and I was interested in how you would rate the respective Hopoates and their impact on the game as it stands.
So here goes my current view.
1.John Hopoate
Personally I have it quite tight between John and Will as it stands. Though john shades it with 3 straight GFs and a premiership. 14 seasons in the NRL. Got 2 tests and a SOO appearance however this was in 1995 with SL players out.
Mad man though, but in the field especially in the 90s he was a player.
2.Will Hopoate
Premiership winner and by god he looked like he could be anything. However 2 years out of the game would set anyone back and it certainly did Will.
Still a great player but never recaptured that X factor. 184 NRL game, 31 ESL games, 5 origins and 6 tests for Tonga.
Strong effort
3.Lehi Hopoate
Small sample size but I expect Lehi to race to the top of this list in no time. 14 NRL game for 9 tries and already 3 tests for Tonga. He looks special.
4.Albert Hopoate
Huge wraps come through but some injuries may have just taken that sparkle from him. Solid NRL first grader with 41 games under his belt including 5 for Manly. I expect he'll get plenty more without ever pushing on to higher honours
5. Pani Hopoate
Representing the women, Pani takes no5. Only 20 years old and already 24 NRLW appearences plus a couple of test appearences for Tonga. Tbh I've not followed her performances too closely so maybe deserves higher?
6.Jamil Hopoate
The son that appears to have more of Johns negative side. Made 12 first grade appearences for the Broncos and anyone playing first grade can be proud of that. PArobably would have made more had he not been the type to so easily find trouble.
7.Albert Hopoate (Johns Brother)
May be showing my age but remember Albert in juniors with a bit of hype and some despair when he went to the Roosters. Never made grade though so rounds out the list.
What are your thoughts?
