During Manly’s recent victory over the Cowboys, Lehi Hopoate exhibited a cheeky play that could have backfired but ultimately benefited from teammate Brandon Wakeham’s reliable handling. Hopoate, who had already scored two tries, capitalised on a missed catch by Scott Drinkwater just before half-time and sprinted towards the try line. In a moment of confidence, he passed the ball back to Wakeham, who, despite not scoring all season, secured a try himself, extending the lead to 20-6.
Phil Gould, commenting for Nine, was astonished by Hopoate’s audacity, expressing disbelief at the decision to pass the ball so close to scoring. His reaction included remarks of exasperation, reflecting on the potential consequences of such a high-risk move.
Johnathan Thurston, a former captain of the Cowboys, found the incident difficult to digest from his team’s perspective, labelling the act a mix of confidence and arrogance, suggesting it was a deliberate slight towards the Cowboys.
Gould continued to express his astonishment post-match, indicating that the high stakes of the game made Hopoate’s decision all the more questionable. He suggested that if the scoreline were much higher late in the game, such behaviour might be more acceptable, but this wasn’t the case. Entering his coaching role, Kieran Foran would have to address the moment, but there were no immediate comments from him during or after the match.
Reflecting on the incident, Gould articulated frustration over the act, implying that while it turned out well, it could have led to disastrous consequences had things gone awry. “No, no, no, no, no, you don’t do that,” he said, emphasising his belief that such risks should not be taken, regardless of the apparent confidence displayed. The play, while ultimately a successful one, sparked conversations about sportsmanship and decision-making during critical moments in competitive rugby league.