LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Manly Sea Eagles have officially upgraded and extended the contract of one of the rising stars in the league ahead of their Round 1 clash to kick off the 2025 NRL season.
Confirmed to take the field on the wing in Round 1, Lehi Hopoate has secured a new deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2027 NRL season.
Additionally, he has been promoted from a development contract to the Top 30 roster for the next two seasons.
Making his debut in Round 12 against the Melbourne Storm, Hopoate made a significant impact as he followed in the footsteps of his father, John Hopoate, and brothers Albert, Jamil, and Will Hopoate, by gracing the NRL stage.
Having progressed through the club's youth system from a young age, the dynamic utility back appeared in a total of 14 matches in his rookie season before representing Tonga in two international Tests at the 2024 Pacific Championships.
"I love it here at Manly and I'm learning so much from this group," said Hopoate.