‘He’s a special player’: Sea Eagles won’t rush Tom Trbojevic decision as Lehi Hopoate again shows he’s a future superstar

Tom Trbojevic didn’t train on Monday afternoon, but the Sea Eagles know they don’t have to rush back their attacking weapon after what we saw on Saturday night.

Teammates are confident Lehi Hopoate can thrive at fullback again on Thursday night if Tom Trbojevic is ruled out of Manly’s trip to Newcastle to take on the desperate Knights.

Trbojevic missed the terrific win over Brisbane after he aggravated a corked thigh in the loss to Parramatta last month.

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold said his superstar fullback would play if Manly’s game was on Sunday, but the short turnaround could mean he is rested to ensure he’s fully fit when he returns.

Trbojevic didn’t train with the team at Monday’s session in Brookvale but was spotted in the gym, with the club’s medical staff expected to give him up to the captain’s run on Wednesday to determine whether he’s fit enough to play.

Tom Trbojevic is a chance of returning against the Knights despite not training on Monday. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

In better news, Jake Trbojevic trained freely on Monday after missing the past two matches while in concussion protocols, with the Sea Eagles backing Hopoate to star again at the back if he’s asked to play there.

The young gun has done a tremendous job when he’s moved from left wing to fullback but he saved his best for Saturday night with 224m, five tackle busts, two try assists and a line break with his first carry when he charged through Payne Haas in the opening set.

“He really set the tone in his first carry of the game when he poked his nose through,” five-eighth Luke Brooks said.

“Wherever he plays, he always does the job for the team and he’s playing outstanding footy.

“For such a young bloke to be able to do that every week means he’s a special player.

“He’s a great fullback, so whenever Tom’s out, he just slots in there really well. I think he’s getting better and better every week.”

Round 13 Injury Update: Jaydn Su'A#BreatheFirehttps://t.co/AkXzNvwlbz

— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) June 2, 2025

Meanwhile, Dragons back-rower Jaydn Su’A will miss Friday’s trip to take on the Dolphins after the club confirmed he suffered a low-grade syndesmosis injury to his left ankle during the win over Newcastle.

Su’A battled on bravely for 20 minutes and scored a try before he eventually came off, with the injury likely to rule him out of contention for an Origin recall.