Lehi Hopoate

[DanielTurbo888]

That was also his very first game on the wing in any grade (according to Seibold) He is something special alright 😘

 

[Rocky]

Jeez what a stud. I'm just so impressed with his decision making and composure.

 

[madmax]

Realise his reflex catch and pass for Tommy Talau’s try was pretty special but I was almost more impressed with his wing play for his first try. Pin point perfect timing of his run to hit Turbo’s cut-out pass at pace and skirt the opposition in minimal space to score, and then had the coolness and piece of mind to run around closer to the posts as the Knights weren’t covering across in numbers. Beautiful to watch.

Yeah & some on here say he’s slow lololol!

 

[Port Eagle]

Gun.

 

[Sheikheagle]

Yeah & some on here say he’s slow lololol!

Beat me to it. He is definitely quick enough.

 

[Eagle 1]

That catch and pass behind all in one motion for Saab to score was just sublime. He's got so much footy smarts, from a player so young, we need to wrap him up on a long term deal asap.

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

Ladies and gentlemen. he is one SMART footy player. looks like we may have Turbos replacement if we can keep him long enough.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Very talented young man. A keeper.

 

[Disco]

Just repeating what you've all said. He seriously looks the goods

 

[frank stokes]

Reminds me of Will early days... not the same type of player but equally exciting...

they are both tough, surprisingly strong and look like the game is intuitive to them...

Exciting times, will be interesting to see how they get Lehi into the team because he HAS to be in there imo...

 

[Sheikheagle]

Reminds me of Will early days... not the same type of player but equally exciting...

they are both tough, surprisingly strong and look like the game is intuitive to them...

Exciting times, will be interesting to see how they get Lehi into the team because he HAS to be in there imo...

Very. We finally have some decent depth in the outside backs. Hard to drop anyone. When all available I reckon we could carry hoppa on the bench. But given it is rare that everyone is available at the one time it will work out. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Under the Sticks]

The gap between Lehi and Ray Ray / Paulo I reckon is as wide as the Grand Canyon.

 

[SeaEagleSI1]

2 tries
1 try assist
25 runs
269 meters
81 post contact meters
2 line breaks
7 tackle breaks
5 tackles no miss
1 error
81 fantasy points

 

[CRPSI eagle]

Top shelf up and coming player

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

2 tries
1 try assist
25 runs
269 meters
81 post contact meters
2 line breaks
7 tackle breaks
5 tackles no miss
1 error
81 fantasy points

It was the 25 runs that most impressed me. He went looking for work from the very first moments of the game, and he kept going strong for 80 minutes. Not bad for a kid who had never played as a winger before today.

 

[LeonardCohen]

2 tries
1 try assist
25 runs
269 meters
81 post contact meters
2 line breaks
7 tackle breaks
5 tackles no miss
1 error
81 fantasy points

To make 269 run metres in first grade with his frame, speaks to a very naturally strong and gifted footballer. What an effort.

 

[broadbeachm]

Can't believe he's playing cause someone's injured . He's our best back must be in running on team no matter who's available.

 

[Scorpio]

Pretty sure it was announced we've locked him up for another three years…

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.

 

[Dion Johnson]

First run on the wing brained it, never overplays his game, looking forward to when he fills out a bit, will be a nightmare for opponents..

 

[StuBoot]

To make 269 run metres in first grade with his frame, speaks to a very naturally strong and gifted footballer. What an effort.

Yep, what stands out to me is his want to get involved, he never shirks the early tackle hit ups from our end and doesn't seem to get ragdolled.
In fact his post contact metres for a player of his size are fantastic coupled with his ability to "find his front" for a quick play the ball.

He just seems so comfortable with what he does out there.