John Hopoate: Former NRL star and ‘recidivist traffic offender’ pleads guilty to serious driving charge

A notorious former NRL player, who police describe as a ‘recidivist traffic offender’, faces the prospect of 12 months’ jail for his latest serious driving charge.

Notorious ex-NRL star John Hopoate is facing the prospect of jail time after pleading guilty to yet another serious driving offence.

Described by police in court papers as a “recidivist traffic offender”, Hopoate, 51, was caught behind the wheel of a tipper truck on the northern beaches while his licence was disqualified.

The former Sea Eagles and West Tigers first grader was handed that 12-month disqualification by Manly Local Court in July last year after he was convicted of driving on a suspended licence.

Hopoate, who also had a career as a professional boxer, had been caught driving while suspended when police investigated an alleged “road rage” incident involving Hopoate at Narraweena on January 4 last year.

“Could be better” - John Hopoate outside Manly Local Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while disqualified. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

Police withdrew an offensive conduct charge against Hopoate in relation to that incident.

Hopoate unsuccessfully appealed that driving disqualification in the District Court in September last year and was subsequently disqualified until September 2025.

But the Dee Why resident was caught driving at Collaroy in December and charged with driving while disqualified – second offence.

John Hopoate will be sentenced in Manly Local Court on March 27. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

He pleaded guilty to the latest charge in Manly court on Thursday.

Hopoate’s traffic record, tendered to Manly court in July, showed he had been suspended from driving 13 times in the past.

He also had a separate drive while disqualified conviction in 2021.

Magistrate Lisa Stapleton said on Thursday that he had added 11 camera-detected driving offences to his driving record in 2024 alone.

“He does have a history of disobeying court orders,” Ms Stapleton told Hopoate’s legal team, led by Feddy Kak from Abbas Jacobs Lawyers.

“Your client has concentration issues.

“I’m just wondering what the substantial issue is.”

Ex-NRL star John Hopoate was described as a “recidivist traffic offender’ by police. Picture: Jim O’Rourke.

The maximum jail term for a second offence of driving while disqualified is 12 months.

In a facts sheet tendered to court, police stated that Hopoate was pulled over for a random breath test on Pittwater Rd, Collaroy at 7.35am on December 16, while driving a Daihatsu tipper truck.

He recorded a negative breath test, but a licence check revealed he was disqualified from driving until September 10, 2025.

John Hopoate leaving the Downing Centre District Court where he unsuccessfully appealed his last drive while disqualified conviction. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

Hopoate told police that he knew he was disqualified, according to the facts sheet.

“I’m going to work,” Hopoate told police. “It’s around the corner.”

Police stated in the facts sheet that “the accused is a recidivist traffic offender that has no regard for police or court ordered licence restrictions or punishments”.

When this masthead asked Hopoate outside court about how he was feeling after entering the guilty plea, he replied “could be better”

Ms Stapleton asked Community Corrections NSW to prepare a sentencing assessment report to assist in her decision on sentencing options, including a jail term.

Hopoate will be sentenced in Manly court on March 27.