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Revision as of 11:50, 17 May 2006 by 212.240.202.50 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)John Hopoate (born 16 January 1974) is a rugby league winger. He was born in Tonga, but later moved to Australia.
He signed for Manly in 1993 from junior club Manly Cove, making his first grade debut against Canberra Raiders at Brookvale Oval on 6 June.
He represented New South Wales in the 1995 State of Origin, and also played for Tonga in the 1995 Rugby League World Cup
For the 2001 season he left Manly to sign for West Tigers. In 2001 he attained a degree of infamy for inserting his finger into the anuses of three other players. He was suspended for 12 matches for that infraction, and has been suspended for a total of 28 matches over his entire career, for a range of other in-game incidents; these suspensions amount to more than an entire season.
He moved to the Northern Eagles after the incident, effectively returning to his original club since the Eagles were a short lived joint venture between Manly and North Sydney. After the venture was dissolved he continued to play for Manly. In March 2005, he was suspended for 17 matches for a late charge on young prop Keith Galloway, which also serously concussed and wounded him. He was sacked by the club, effectively ending his rugby league career.
On May 17, 2006 he fought in his first professional boxing bout in which he won.
Career highlights
- Scored 21 NRL tries in 1995, (joint 5th highest ever, as of 2005)
- Scored 68 tries for Manly (1993-2004)