Footy bad boy John Hopoate outrages fans by mimicking his bum-poking disgrace during competition

Footy bad boy John Hopoate outrages fans by mimicking his infamous bum-poking disgrace during competition featuring legends of the sport

  • John Hopoate appeared at League of Legends game on NSW Central Coast  
  • Former NRL star wore white rubber glove and re-enacted finger poking incident  
  • NSWRL CEO said that the match is not sanctioned by any official league body  

Former rugby league star John Hopoate has outraged footy fans by mimicking his infamous bum-poking disgrace during a competition featuring legends of the sport. 

At the League of Legends tournament, held on the New South Wales Central Coast over the weekend, Hopoate appeared playing for Manly and wearing a white rubber glove.

The 44-year-old held the glove up to cameras at the event and re-enacted the infamous incident multiple times by finger-poking opposing Newcastle Knights players.

Former rugby league star John Hopoate has outraged footy fans by mimicking his infamous bum-poking disgrace during a competition 

Hopoate was banned for 12 weeks after performing the vile act during a game in 2001 

Hopoate was banned for 12 weeks after performing the vile act during a game in 2001 

The original incident in 2001, in which Hopoate performed the act on an unsuspecting Cowboys player, is infamous in rugby league circles as one of the lowest points of the game.

He was banned at the time for 12 weeks with league judiciary chairman Jim Hall saying it was the most disgusting incident he had dealt with in 45 years.

The exhibition match is not officially sanctioned by any rugby league governing body so no penalties could be applied for the below the belt shot.

‘Every governing body has an obligation to the participants who play our game to ensure they can play in a safe and enjoyable environment,’ NSWRL CEO David Trodden said.

‘The tournament is not sanctioned by any official rugby league body. The NSWRL has no jurisdiction over the competition.’

Speaking to Players’ Voice recently, his son Will Hopoate, said that the original incident was supposed to be a prank.

‘His old teammates have since told me the whole thing was supposed to be a prank to watch in team video sessions. It ended up costing him his personal brand for life, pretty much.’ 

At the League of Legends tournament, held on the New South Wales Central Coast over the weekend, Hopoate appeared playing for Manly and wearing a white rubber glove 

At the League of Legends tournament, held on the New South Wales Central Coast over the weekend, Hopoate appeared playing for Manly and wearing a white rubber glove 

 

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