LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Former NRL troublemaker John Hopoate has found himself back in the spotlight, this time not for his on-field antics but for his off-road troubles.
The controversial former Manly Sea Eagles champion lost his appeal to have his license reinstated after it was revealed in court that he had been suspended a whopping 13 times.
Hopoate, known for his tough and aggressive style of play, was handed a $1000 fine and a 12-month driving suspension earlier this year for driving with a suspended license.
Dressed in his signature ripped jeans and a pink vest, Hopoate appeared in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court to challenge the severity of his punishment.
His lawyer, Feddy Kak, argued that Hopoate was unaware of his ongoing suspension, claiming that he thought his suspension had expired.
However, the court heard that a new suspension was imposed just days after his previous one ended, leading to the driving mishap in question.
This latest incident adds to Hopoate's already colorful history of off-field controversies, further tarnishing his once stellar reputation as a rugby league star.
It seems that Hopoate's troubles off the field continue to overshadow his achievements on the field, a sad reality for a player who once dominated the rugby league landscape.