Lehi Hopoate latest in long list of talented siblings set on rugby league path at Manly

Between former Manly Sea Eagles star John Hopoate and his 11 children, seven have serious rugby league credentials – and there’s a new kid on the block.

He first made news at just one week old – gently cradled by famous father John Hopoate who was heading into the final season of his long and controversial rugby league career.

That was in 2004, and 18 years later, Lehi Hopoate is on the path to first grade at Manly and the latest of the famous family set to carve out an NRL or NRLW career.

Their rugby league legacy is like no other.

Lehi has been signed to a three-year deal with Manly, which will see him transition from the lower grades into a top 30 contract in 2026.

Tall and angular, the young fullback will be given time and space to grow into his size over the next three years before he becomes a part of the first grade squad as planned.

“He’s SG Ball aged, a quiet kid with a terrific work ethic and that’s a given,” says Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov. “That family has the football instinct and he definitely has that.

“I played with John here at Manly, so I understand those genes, and Lehi is a terrific kid.”

Manly youngster Lehi Hopoate. Picture: NRL Images

Lehi is the eighth of 11 children to John and Brenda Hopoate.

John announced Lehi’s birth in that 2004 interview with The Daily Telegraph, saying that he wanted to have an even number of children.

‘‘It’s nothing to do with superstition, just that I have a theory that if you have an odd number, one of them is going to miss out when they play,’’ Hopoate said.

Lehi Hopoate in The Daily Telegraph with dad John.

‘‘We wanted four then we ended up having six. When we got to seven, I didn’t want odd numbers so we had to have eight. If (Brenda) has another one soon then we’ll have to go for 10.’’

They settled for the magic number of 11 and incredibly, Lehi is the sixth to venture into rugby league.

John played 209 first grade games for Manly, Wests Tigers and Northern Eagles, and is one of the game’s most controversial figures, but his natural footballing ability runs in his blood.

As his children progress into their own careers, it makes for the most prolific family rugby league has ever seen, with Will, 31, Jamil, 29 and Albert, 22, all going on to play NRL, while Sione, 25, was in the Wests Tigers’ system as of last year.

The sporting talent extends to their sister too.

Kalosipani, 19, is a rising star of the NRLW with the Sydney Roosters – both her and Albert are the only two currently playing first grade after Will retired at the end of the 2023 season with St Helens.

John Hopoate (L) and Steve Menzies celebrate after victory in the 1996 grand final.

“That’s unequalled,” Mestrov says.

“The common theme is they have those genetics.

“Lehi is a footballer. That’s the first thing that a lot of clubs look for. He’s still learning, I don’t want to heap pressure on him, but the instinct is there and you can see it when he plays and that attracted us to him.

“He’s at the start of a journey and progressing nicely.”

Manly have banked on his footballing genes, obvious talent and excellent work ethic.

The exciting young player will finish the pre-season with the NRL squad at Manly this year before moving back to the lower grades to develop.

He has already shown leadership potential, and after an outstanding season at fullback for the undefeated Harold Matthews premiership team in 2021, he captained the team in 2022 and then took on the job at the SG Ball level in 2023.

He was then promoted to the Jersey Flegg side at fullback later in the year.

“We’re giving him a pre-season with the top 30, and then he goes into a development contract and then he’s in the top 30 in 2026,” Mestrov says.

“We’ve deliberately outlined that pathway because we think he’s going to be a first grader, without putting any additional pressure on him.

“At the moment he’s a fullback, but you can already see he can grow into the centre position as well and we think he can play multiple positions.

“He just goes about his work and it’s really impressive, and he’s really impressed Anthony Seibold.

“He’s got genuine speed. He needs to grow, there’s no doubt about that, and in some ways that’s why we’re holding him back.

“We’ve got nothing but praise for Lehi with the way he’s handled everything. The composure he’s got, and he’s still learning the position, but we believe he can progress.”