LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
'This is something special': All eyes on Lehi Hopoate as Sea Eagles rookie continues to impress after injury setback
Lehi Hopoate may have been a relative unknown at the beginning of the season, but the young gun with the famous surname has quickly become a mainstay in the Sea Eagles lineup.
According to Sea Eagles veteran Lachlan Croker, rookie winger Lehi Hopoate's potential is nothing short of "scary" based on his performance in the NRL.
The teen sensation has formed a dynamic wing partnership with speedster Jason Saab, who has been described as having added some serious weapons to his repertoire.
Thrown into the deep end against the Storm due to a string of injuries, 19-year-old Hopoate admits he felt the pressure that week, but has since emerged as a strong contender for the Dally M Rookie of the Year Award.
With a bag of tricks at his disposal, Hopoate plays with the composure of a seasoned pro, earning praise from his more experienced teammates.
Croker raved about the youngster, saying, "It's mind-boggling.
You watch him play and you think, 'That's exceptional,' but he just brushes it off like it's no big deal.
He's the epitome of coolness under pressure.
You could throw him into an Origin match tomorrow, and he'd just shrug and say, 'No worries.'"
"I've never seen anything like it," Croker continued.
"And from what I've heard, his older brother was cut from the same cloth.
It's incredible to witness a kid of his age perform at such a high level.
The sky's the limit for him."
Rugby League fans will be eagerly watching Hopoate's progress, as he continues to make a name for himself in the sport.