Latest news with #LehiHopoate
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Tom Trbojevic linked with shock NRL exit as Manly face Lehi Hopoate headache
Injury-plagued Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic has been tipped to leave the club at the end of his current deal, with the English Super League tossed up as a potential new home for the man affectionately known as 'Turbo'. The 28-year-old is on a reported $1.1 million per season but has found himself on the physio table more often than on the field in recent years. Between 2018 and 2025, Trbojevic has only played more than 20 games a season on two occasions. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. And since winning the 2021 Dally M Medal, Trbojevic has averaged just 12.8 games per season due to a string of injuries. Trbojevic even offered to give a large chunk of his salary back last year after feeling so bad about collecting over a million dollars per season, but only playing a handful of games. That move was rejected by the NRL. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the club has commenced contract talks with the management team of the Manly fullback and his brother Jake, who are both signed until the end of next season. But in a bombshell new development, it has been reported that the superstar fullback is prepared to walk, so as to not block the development of other young backs at the club. Deputising for Trbojevic at fullback this year, 20-year-old Lehi Hopoate has been outstanding. His speed and agility has sent tongues wagging and even led to the likes of Roosters great Bryan Fletcher suggesting that even when Trbojevic is fit Hopoate should be Manly's No.1. 'He is way too good, it's clearly evident, he needs to be around the ball because things happen,' Fletcher said on SEN on Monday. 'He is too valuable to this team to be playing on the wing. I know Tom is a terrific fullback … he has to be in the centres. Things happen around Hopoate. 'He has signed for three more years there. He cannot play on the wing. If he is still on the wing in three years' time his management, I would expect him, to be looking elsewhere.' But it isn't just Hopoate that has Trbojevic considering if it is best for the club for him to leave. They also have livewires Tolu Koula and Clayton Faalalo, with their form so strong that it has kept the likes of Tommy Talau and Jason Saab out of the team throughout various stages of the season. And according to SMH, if Trbojevic's re-signing will cost the team any of their young backline stars, the fullback would prefer to leave to join the Super League. Trbojevic has reportedly informed those close to him that if push came to shove he would prefer to play in England than for a Manly rival in the NRL. But even still the Sea Eagles are reportedly keen to keep Trbojevic and his older brother Jake. However, if both are to pen an extension it will be on significantly less than what they are currently being paid. Jake is currently on around $900,000 and the club are reportedly willing to offer a one-year extension worth around $500,000. While Tom will likely have to take a similar haircut on his pay packet to around the $700,000 a season mark.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Why Sea Eagles don't need to rush Turbo back
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. 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.' 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.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
‘He's a special player': Sea Eagles won't rush Tom Trbojevic decision as Lehi Hopoate again shows he's a future superstar
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. 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 #BreatheFire — 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.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fan's heart attack delays start of NRL pre-season game
The start of South Sydney's pre-season match with Manly has been delayed after a medical emergency at the ground in Gosford. AAP understands a patron at Central Coast Stadium suffered a heart attack before the game was due to kick-off at 3.30pm AEDT, requiring paramedics to leave the venue with them. NRL rules require paramedics to be present at all matches for player safety. The start of the game was delayed as officials rushed to make alternate arrangements that would satisfy the league's rules. Souths and Manly have been given the green light to start the clash at 5.10pm AEDT. After a 30-minute delay, a call was sent out over the stadium loudspeaker asking for any intensive care paramedics to make themselves available. The Rabbitohs have listed Englishman Lewis Dodd to play his first game for the club at No.7, while resting the majority of their other stars. Lehi Hopoate is Manly's biggest name set to feature, while Siua Taukeiaho has been named to play his first game back in the NRL since 2023.
