NRL bad boy John Hopoate banned from driving over alleged road rage

A former NRL player has learned his fate over an alleged nasty driving incident on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Ex-NRL bad boy John Hopoate has been sentenced for driving while disqualified during an alleged nasty road rage incident on Sydney Northern Beaches in January.

But the former Manly Sea Eagles star will contest an offensive language charge over the episode that ended with Hopoate standing over the cowering man.

The 50-year-old faced Manly Local Court on Wednesday where Magistrate Robyn Denes issued Hopoate with a $1000 fine and banned him from driving for 12 months.

Hopoate pleaded guilty to one count of driving while his licence was suspended.

His lawyer, Feddy Kak from Abbas Jacobs Lawyers, told the magistrate that his client was not aware that he was suspended from driving at the time.

John Hopoate in the video he uploaded to Instagram.

Pictures: Supplied

Mr Kak told the court his client had been suspended for three months but thought the suspension period was over.

Hopoate was unaware of a further three month suspension being later issued, Mr Kak told the court.

The premiership winner posted footage of the January 4 incident on Instagram that unfolded on a Narraweena street.

The video showed Hopoate standing over a 38-year-old man while pointing his finger in his face.

Hoppa playing for Manly in 2004. Picture: Kym Smith

Hopoate shouts: “F —king bitch” at the man who tells him to “f —k off” while holding his hands out defensively.

Under the video, Hopoate posted: “When you’re (six foot, eight inches) and think your size can intimidate anyone … when you get out of your car and punch my mirror and (swing) at me during your road rage. You get the BITCH slapped out of you and you start yelling: ‘Help me. Rape’. Then run to the cops like a little bitch that you are and make the complaint lol.

“Doesn’t it suck that you got slapped and cried like a mut, then ran and made a complaint and nothing is going to happen cause you started it”.

The incident in 2001 against the Cowboys.

It was the same finger that gained infamy in 2001 then Hopoate inserted into the backside of an opposing player, leading to him serving a lengthy suspension from the game.

The 38-year-old reported the matter to police but was then fined $500 for offensive behaviour.

In court, Ms Denes said Hopoate was not helped by his driving record but that his offending did not fall in the most serious range.

Hopoate claims the 38-year-old was the instigator of the incident and will contesting an offensive language charge, which is listed for hearing on January 16.

Originally published as NRL bad boy John Hopoate banned from driving over alleged road rage