Ex-NRL star John Hopoate to fight charge over road rage incident

Former NRL and boxing star John Hopoate has denied instigating a road rage incident that has landed him in court.

John Hopoate's road rage incident and in the ring. Photos: Instagram

Former NRL hardman John Hopoate has been caught up in a road rage incident in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

The infamous 50-year-old, who is credited with being the most suspended player of the NRL era, became involved in an incident in Narraweena with another man.

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Hopoate uploaded a brief video of the incident to his Instagram account, where Hopoate is seen standing over and threatening a heavy set man who is on the ground.

The 38-year-old man involved reported the incident to police, which resulted in a $500 infringement notice to both parties for offensive behaviour.

Hopoate, who played for Manly, Wests Tigers and the Northern Eagles in one of rugby league’s most controversial careers, insists he was not the instigator.

“When you’re (six-foot-eight) and think your size can intimidate anyone when you get out of your car and punch my mirror and swung at me during your road rage,” he wrote in the post.

“You get the BITCH slapped out of you and you start yelling HELP ME RAPE. Then run to the cops like the little BITCH that you are and make a 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 lol.”

The former Australian heavyweight boxing champion finished the post with a hashtag proclaiming “not everyone is scared of your size”.

The man known as Hoppa had a huge number of on-field issues during his career, most famously suspended for 12 weeks for repeatedly sticking his finger in opponent’s backsides.

Hopoate has denied starting the incident. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

According to The Daily Telegraph, officers visited Hopoate at his Dee Why home in February and issued him with the fine, which he has elected to contest in court.

“Officers were informed that (Hopoate) and another motorist were involved in an altercation at the intersection of Gould Ave and Rowena Rd, Narraweena,” a police spokesman said.

“There were no reports of any serious injuries.”

After further investigations, it was reported that Hopoate was allegedly driving on a suspended licence.

Hopoate in his playing days with the Tigers.

There were a series of comments to his Instagram post, mostly supporting the Tongan born former star.

“Hahaha bring him to the ring,” was one comment.

“Moral of the story — don’t f**k with Hoppa,” was another.

In a number of subsequent Instagram posts, Hopoate declared his intention to return to the ring, stating he will be fighting fellow heavyweight David Padovan in June.

Hopoate will reportedly take his legal case to Manly Local Court on April 23.