Lehi Hopoate

Lehi Hopoate (born 26 January 2005) is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a er or for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League.

Background

Hopoate is of Tongan descent through his father John Hopoate who was an Australian, Tongan, and New South Wales State of Origin representative. His older brothers William Hopoate, Jamil Hopoate, and Albert Hopoate also played rugby league professionally.

Hopoate attended St Augustine's College at Brookvale and played his junior rugby league for the Beacon Hill Bears, before being signed by the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

Playing career Early years

Hopoate rose through the grades at the Manly Sea Eagles, playing for their Harold Matthews Cup and S. G. Ball Cup sides, also appearing for the New South Wales under-16s side in 2021.

2024 Hopoate made his first grade debut at fullback in place of the injured Tom Trbojevic in his side's 26–20 victory over the Melbourne Storm at Brookvale Oval in round 12 of the 2024 NRL season. In round 19, Hopoate scored two tries for Manly in their 44-6 win over Newcastle. He played a total of 14 games for Manly in the 2024 NRL season, mostly on the wing, as they finished 7th on the table and qualified for the finals. Manly would be eliminated in the second week of the finals by the Sydney Roosters.

Lehi Hopoate's form was such that at the 2024 Manly awards night he won the Ken Arthurson Rising Star Award as the clubs Rookie of the Year. Hopoate was then one of four Manly players named in the Tongan squad (along with Tolu Koula, Haumole Olakau'atu and Taniela Paseka) for the 2024 Pacific Championships. Playing at fullback, Hopoate made his test debut for Tonga on 18 October against Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The Kangaroos won the game 18–0.

2025 In February, Hopoate would extend his contract and be elevated into Manly's top 30 squad. In round 12 of the 2025 NRL season, Hopoate scored two tries for Manly in their upset 30-10 loss against Parramatta. Hopoate played 22 games for Manly in the 2025 NRL season as the club finished 10th on the table.

Statistics