Former NRL player and boxer John Hopoate is behind bars after he allegedly threatened a business owner in Sydney's North Shore. Photo / Getty Images.
Former NRL player and boxer John Hopoate is behind bars after he allegedly threatened a business owner in Sydney's North Shore.
He allegedly made a "number of threats" to a Crows Nest business owner and stole a beverage from the premises on Wednesday afternoon, police say.
A NSW Police spokesman
said a 42-year-old man went to the Manly Police Station on Thursday afternoon where he was charged with contravening an Apprehended Personal Violence Order, intimidation and stealing.
He was refused police bail and was to face Manly Local Court on Friday. Hopoate, who played for Manly, Wests Tigers and Northern Eagles, courted controversy during his 13-year, 209-game, first-grade rugby league career, during which he represented Australia, NSW and Tonga.
Hopoate retired from rugby league in 2005 after incurring a 17-match ban for a tackle on Keith Galloway. Four years before that he copped a 12-match ban for poking opposition players up the backside.
