Ex NRL star John Hopoate defends charge over northern beaches’ road rage incident

Former NRL bad boy John Hopoate will fight offensive behaviour in a public place charges following an alleged road rage incident, claiming he was not the aggressor.

Former high profile NRL star John ­Hopoate will defend a charge linked to an alleged road rage incident in Sydney.

Hopoate, 50, of Dee Why, who made a name for himself as a bullocking winger for the Manly Sea Eagles and West Tigers, has pleaded not guilty to offensive behaviour in a public place.

The charge was related to what documents tendered to Manly Local Court on Wednesday described as a “physical altercation” between Hopoate and a 38-year-old man.

Police will allege in court that the alleged incident occurred at the intersection of Gould Ave and Rowena Rd, Narraweena in January

There were no reports of any serious injuries, but police handed Hopoate a $500 fine for offensive behaviour, on February 1.

A still from an Instagram video allegedly showing John Hopoate with another man during a road rage incident involving what Manly Local Court was told was a “physical altercation”.

Hopoate’s solicitor Mahmoud Abbas had previously said, outside court, that his client would appeal the fine and defend the charge.

Mr Abbas said Hopoate, who was not in court on Wednesday, was not the aggressor in the alleged incident.

It has been reported that the former Sea Eagles premiership-winning star posted a video of the alleged incident to his Instagram account that showed him standing over and pointing his finger at a man laying on the ground on January 4.

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

A still from an Instagram video allegedly showing John Hopoate with another man during a road rage incident.

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”.

John Hopoate, pictured at his home in 2022, has pleaded not guilty to offensive behaviour in a public place. Picture: David Swift

A NSW Police spokesman said the man reported an incident to police.

The 38-year-old man was also given a $500 fine for offensive behaviour.

Mr Abbass indicated to Manly court on Wednesday that Hopoate would plead guilty, at a later date, to driving while on a suspended licence – second offence.

Magistrate Robyn Denes adjourned the matters for mention to Manly court on June 11.