NewsBite

Pani Hopoate: Rising NRLW star sidesteps conviction for driving while suspended

A Sydney magistrate has warned a rising NRLW star to be mindful of her responsibilities after she was busted driving home from training while her licence was suspended.

Pani Hopoate, 20, outside Manly Local Court on Thursday. Picture: Manly Daily
Pani Hopoate, 20, outside Manly Local Court on Thursday. Picture: Manly Daily

An up and coming NRLW star has sidestepped a conviction after being busted driving home from training while her licence was suspended.

But a Manly Local Court magistrate has warned Pani Hopoate it’s time to “be an adult” after the 20-year-old — a hard-running enforcer who played for the Sydney Roosters this year — pleaded guilty to a charge of driving with a suspended licence.

Hopoate’s P2 licence had been suspended after she racked up too many demerit points by speeding and failing to display green P plates.

Her three-month suspension period had actually ended before Northern Beaches Police pulled her over on Wakehurst Parkway, at Frenchs Forest, just after 10pm on September 6.

However, the court heard on Thursday that Hopoate had not yet sat a knowledge test she was required to complete before she could get her Ps back.

A hard-charging Pani Hopoate takes the ball up for the Roosters against the Sharks in September. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
A hard-charging Pani Hopoate takes the ball up for the Roosters against the Sharks in September. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Magistrate Lisa Stapleton asked Hopoate’s solicitor why his client had not sat the test.

The lawyer told the court the 20-year-old, who is the daughter of controversial former NRL star John Hopoate, had been busy with her commitments as a professional rugby league player and had not “got round” to organising a time to do the exam.

Pani Hopoate’s father, controversial former NRL star John Hopoate. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard
Pani Hopoate’s father, controversial former NRL star John Hopoate. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard

Hopoate, who has represented Tonga and played in the NSW under-19s State of Origin side, has recently signed with the Canterbury Bulldogs for the 2025 NRLW season.

Ms Stapleton acknowledged Hopoate was a busy sportsperson, but said she should have made sure she was eligible to drive.

Pani Hopoate when she was with the Sydney Roosters. Picture: Supplied
Pani Hopoate when she was with the Sydney Roosters. Picture: Supplied

“If you want to be an adult … you have to take adult responsibilities,” Ms Stapleton told the young footy star.

The magistrate did not record a conviction and instead placed Hopoate on a conditional release order, requiring her to be of good behaviour for 12 months.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/pani-hopoate-rising-nrlw-star-sidesteps-conviction-for-driving-while-suspended/news-story/cac9e3829e8a194ff9ace4a478c59836