Hopoate in hot water again

Controversial Manly rugby league winger John Hopoate will face disciplinary action from the club after admitting he played in a fifth grade rugby union match on Monday.

Hopoate, who scored the match-winning try in Parramatta's 19-17 win over West Harbour, initially denied coming on as a second half replacement but admitted to Manly officials today that he'd play in the match. Manly chief executive Ian Thomson said Hopoate had been "sadly misguided" in deciding to play.

Hopoate has had a chequered rugby league playing career including a 12-week suspension in 2001 for sticking his finger up players' anuses to put them of their game.

Thomson said Hopoate had largely made up for his previous indiscretions by his good form and community work with the Manly but would be subject to disciplinary action later this week.