The Rainbow Network
Rugby Player in ‘Vile Act’ Storm
A rugby player is facing a
contrary conduct charge after being charged with inserting his finger into three
players’ anuses during a game.
On-field complaints were made about John
Hopoate by Paul Bowman, captain of the Cowboys in North Queensland. The
incidents took place during a game at Townsville. Hopoate was later involved in
a fight with another member of the Cowboys team.
Hopoate has already
pleaded guilty to striking and was banned from playing for 12 weeks. He resigned
his position from his team, the West Tigers. Now he is to face the National
Rugby League judiciary in Australia. Hopoate has been charged with acting
against the true spirit of the game, an offence too serious to have been graded
by the NRL.
Cowboys coach Tim Sheens said: ”It was disgraceful and our
players should not have to put up with what he did out there.” But West Tigers
coach Terry Lamb believes that Hopoate is the target of a smear campaign. He
said: "He`s not a bad boy but the league, or the media, are painting him that
way."
Hopoate is not the first player accused of inserting his finger in
another`s anus. A similar case between an Australian and a British player was
heard in 1992.
Meanwhile, the player is suing a New Zealand cancer
charity who used photographs of the incidents to publicise prostate cancer
checks.
One Finger, One Thumb
It seems that Australian rugby players like to
play it dirty. This week, John Hopoate of the West Tigers was banned for 12
weeks for what was described as “unsportsmanlike interference”.
After
studying video footage of the match, it was decided by the governing committee
that Hopoate had inserted his finger into three players’ bottoms.
Hopoate
insisted that he was just trying to give the players a “wedgie to make them play
the ball quicker”.
However, as one player stated at the hearing: "It
wasn`t a wedgie. That`s when your pants are pulled up your arse. I think I know
the difference between a wedgie and someone sticking their finger up my
bum."
Tigers coach, Terry Lamb, offered that it wasn’t uncommon to be
touched in the groin area during play but QC for the prosecution Mr. Bowman,
argued: "If I held your leg, would that give you the right to put your finger up
my arse?"
He should be so lucky! The club is to appeal against the
decision.
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