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Jamil Hopoate
Jamil Hopoate
Jamil Hopoate
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Jamil Hopoate (born 8 November 1994) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and convicted criminal who last played as a lock and second-row for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Key Information

Background

[edit]

He was born and raised in Manly, New South Wales and is of Tongan descent. He is the son of former Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles player John Hopoate[2] and younger brother of rugby league player William Hopoate.[3]

Playing career

[edit]

Hopoate made his debut in round 1 of the 2020 NRL season for the Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys starting from the bench.[4]

Hopoate played 12 games for Brisbane in the 2020 NRL season as they finished last on the table for the first time in the club's history.[5]

Hopoate was released by Brisbane Broncos at the end of the 2020 season.[6]

Convictions

[edit]

In 2012, Hopoate was sacked by Parramatta due to a string of off-field incidents which included a mid-range drink driving conviction.[7]

In 2014, Hopoate was jailed for one year and given a two-year good behaviour bond after a violent assault on two men at a Sydney pub. Hopoate was later sacked by his club Manly-Warringah over the incident.[8]

In December 2020, Hopoate was charged with two counts of domestic violence-related assault, one count of assault, two counts of intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm, and one count each of driving while his licence was suspended and mid-range drink-driving.[9] In October 2021, he was sentenced to a 12-month intensive corrections order under which he must abstain from alcohol and undertake 250 hours of community service. He also has to pay $2100 in fines for the driving offences.[10]

In May 2021, Hopoate was charged with large-scale commercial drug supply.[11] He pleaded guilty in May 2022. He and Leanne Mofoa, who was charged as an accessory after the fact, were sentenced on 20 October.[6] Hopoate was given maximum jail time of three years and nine months, and was released in October 2024.[12] Mofoa was sentenced to an 18-month intensive corrections order in the community.[13]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jamil Hopoate

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jamil Hopoate (born 8 November 1994) is an Australian former professional footballer of Tongan descent who primarily played as a second-rower and lock. The son of ex-NRL player , he debuted in the (NRL) with the in 2020, appearing in 12 first-grade matches during his tenure there, alongside stints in lower-tier competitions such as the with the . Hopoate's career has been overshadowed by criminal convictions, including a 2014 prison sentence for a drunken outside a pub and a 2022 sentencing to three years and nine months imprisonment—with a non-parole period of two years and three months—for attempting to collect and deliver eight kilograms of as part of a $154 million importation syndicate. He was released in July 2024 and subsequently returned to lower-level rugby with the Nyngan Tigers in regional .

Early Life and Family

Birth and Upbringing

Jamil Hopoate was born on 8 November 1994 in Manly, New South Wales, Australia. He grew up in the Manly area alongside his siblings in a family of Tongan descent, with his father John Hopoate having established a prominent presence in local rugby league circles through his playing career with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. As one of eight children, Hopoate's early years were shaped by this familial environment in Sydney's northern beaches suburb, where rugby league was a central activity. By his mid-teens, around age 15, he began experimenting with alcohol, marking an early encounter with substance use amid his development.

Family Influence and Rugby Roots

Jamil Hopoate grew up in a family deeply embedded in professional rugby league, as the son of John Hopoate, who played 209 first-grade games across clubs including Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (1993–1999, 2003–2005), Wests Tigers (2000–2001), and Northern Eagles (2001–2002). John, born in Tonga on 16 January 1974, represented Tonga at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup and contributed to Manly's 1996 ARL Premiership victory, instilling a competitive rugby culture in the household from Jamil's early years. The Hopoate family, comprising up to 11 children of Tongan descent, produced multiple professional players, amplifying the sport's centrality in Jamil's upbringing. His older brother debuted in the NRL with Manly in 2010, later playing for , representing in (five games), internationally (13 Tests), and transitioning to with St Helens. Other siblings, including Albert (), Lehi (Manly Sea Eagles), and Sione (), also reached NRL levels, creating a competitive environment where was both recreation and vocation. This lineage directly shaped Jamil's rugby roots, with him drawing inspiration from his father's tenacity and brother's achievements while developing skills in junior ranks. Family members, including siblings, viewed Jamil as the most naturally gifted footballer among them, fostering early expectations of professional success rooted in the clan's sporting heritage.

Rugby League Career

Junior and Development Years

Hopoate commenced his structured pathway with the ' under-20s squad, where he was signed by club officials including Peter Nolan. He subsequently transferred to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles' National Youth Competition (NYC) team, appearing in matches such as a June 2014 fixture where he started at second row. In 2014, despite absences due to disciplinary proceedings, Hopoate earned Manly's under-20s player of the year award and secured a first-grade train-and-trial , highlighting his on-field impact with strong performances as a back-rower. His overall NYC career spanned 42 games, during which he scored 8 tries. Following a 2014 conviction and imprisonment for , Hopoate was released in early 2015 and resumed playing in Sydney's local competitions, including for Narraweena, where he impressed in back-row roles during wins such as against Willoughby. He rejoined Manly's NYC program in 2016, but the NRL Integrity Unit vetoed a proposed first-grade debut, mandating additional rehabilitation post-incarceration. Hopoate later transitioned to the Brisbane Broncos' development pathway via their feeder club, the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Rugby League, where he excelled in trials and reserve-grade matches, including strong showings that paved the way for his professional NRL opportunities.

Professional Contracts and Performances

Hopoate was part of the Manly Sea Eagles' development pathway in the mid-2010s, but his NRL debut was blocked by the league's integrity unit in September 2016, which required further rehabilitation following a prior jail sentence for assault. He transitioned to Queensland, joining the Brisbane Broncos on a train-and-trial basis ahead of the 2019 season and impressing in pre-season trials, leading to a two-year contract signed on April 28, 2019. During his time with the Broncos' feeder club, the , in the , Hopoate delivered strong performances, contributing to their 2018 premiership win and featuring in 42 games across 2018 and 2019 with 10 tries scored. He made his NRL debut off the bench in Round 1 of the 2020 season against the , ultimately playing 12 games that year as a lock or second-row forward, though the Broncos finished last with only three wins. In those appearances, he recorded no tries or points, reflecting a limited offensive impact in the top grade.
CompetitionTeamYearsGamesTriesPoints
NRL PremiershipBrisbane Broncos20201200
Intrust Super Cup (QRL)Redcliffe Dolphins2018-2019421040
Hopoate was released by the Broncos at the end of 2020, concluding his professional NRL-affiliated career.

Career Termination and Statistics

Hopoate's professional rugby league statistics are limited primarily to his time with the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL). In the 2020 NRL season, he appeared in 12 games, primarily as a forward, but recorded no tries, goals, or points scored. The Broncos finished last that year, marking their worst performance in club history. Prior to his NRL debut, Hopoate had accumulated experience in development competitions, including 30 games in the New South Wales Cup (2016–2017) with 10 tries and 42 games in the Queensland Rugby League (2018–2019) with 10 tries for the Redcliffe Dolphins. His NRL career concluded at the end of the 2020 season when the Broncos did not renew his , and he failed to secure an offer from another club. Off-field issues, including a history of disciplinary problems and later criminal involvement in a $154 million importation plot uncovered in 2021, permanently derailed any prospects of resuming a career. Hopoate served time in following his 2022 conviction and was released in 2024, after which he has played in regional leagues, such as for the Nyngan Tigers in 2025, but has not returned to elite levels.
CompetitionClubGamesTriesPoints
NRL1200
NSW CupVarious301040
QRL421040

Off-Field Incidents and Behavior

Early Disciplinary Issues

In late 2012, at age 18, Jamil Hopoate faced legal consequences for mid-range drink-driving after consuming 12 bottles of beer, resulting in a six-month suspension of his provisional driver's licence following a in court. This incident occurred while he was a promising junior with ' under-20s team, highlighting early challenges with alcohol-related decision-making. Shortly thereafter, in December 2012, Hopoate was terminated by the Parramatta Eels after breaching discipline at an NRL rookie camp in Sydney, where he left the premises without permission and disobeyed club officials despite explicit orders to remain confined. The Eels conducted an internal investigation, citing the breach as part of a pattern of off-field behavior issues, including the recent drink-driving conviction, which prompted the contract termination despite his talent as a back-rower. These events marked the onset of recurring disciplinary problems that disrupted his development pathway in professional rugby league.

Assault and Violence Cases

In February 2014, Jamil Hopoate participated in a violent outside the Ivanhoe Hotel in Manly, , following his ejection from the venue after an argument with security. Along with co-offenders John Akauola and Luke Akauola, Hopoate attacked Alexander Christie, who was punched and kicked repeatedly; Hopoate specifically delivered kicks to Christie while he was on the ground, contributing to Christie being rendered unconscious by the blows. Timothy Blackett, who intervened to assist Christie, was also assaulted, though less severely. Hopoate, who was intoxicated at the time, pleaded guilty to two counts of in company. On December 10, 2014, he was sentenced to a minimum of 12 months' with a maximum of 18 months for the assault on Christie, and a two-year good behaviour bond for the assault on Blackett; the incident prompted his immediate release from his contract with the Manly Sea Eagles. On December 28, 2020, Hopoate assaulted his partner, Shae Beathe, during an escalating argument at the Panthers club in . The dispute began over dinner when Beathe requested he take their family home; Hopoate damaged her bank card, leading to intervention, after which he spat at both Beathe and a guard. In the , as escorted Beathe away, Hopoate threatened to "bash" the guards and struck Beathe with an open-palm slap, causing her to fall; she was later checked at Base Hospital as a precaution. He then drove from the scene and was intercepted near a hospital with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.095 while his was suspended. Hopoate pleaded guilty to seven offenses, including two counts of domestic violence-related , one count of , and two counts of , alongside driving-related charges. Sentencing on October 8, 2021, resulted in a 12-month intensive order, including a ban on alcohol consumption and 250 hours of , with $2,100 in fines for the driving offenses; he avoided further . The court noted contributing factors such as Hopoate's alcohol dependency and disappointment over not matching the professional success of family members.

Criminal Convictions

Drug Importation Involvement

In May 2021, officers intercepted a shipment containing approximately 514 kilograms of , valued at around $155 million on the street, concealed within toolboxes arriving at a port. The drugs were part of a larger importation syndicate, with Police alleging that Hopoate, then 26 years old and recently signed to the , accessed a containing portions of the consignment at a warehouse on May 18, 2021, before attempting to transport it. Hopoate was arrested later that day and charged with knowingly supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited , specifically for his role in collecting and intending to deliver about 8 kilograms of extracted from the seized haul. Court documents revealed he was recruited as a low-level , promised $7,000 to $10,000 for the task, and had no prior involvement in the importation planning or higher syndicate operations. He was initially refused but granted it in July 2021 under strict conditions, including electronic monitoring and residence restrictions. On May 5, 2022, Hopoate to the charge in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court, acknowledging his actions facilitated the distribution phase of the imported drugs. In October 2022, he was sentenced to a maximum of 3 years and 9 months' , with a non-parole period of 2 years and 3 months, reflecting judicial consideration of his , lack of prior convictions for drug offenses, and expressed remorse, though emphasizing the severity of commercial-scale involvement in importation. The principal organizers of the syndicate, a married couple, received 33-year sentences in February 2024 for their roles in coordinating the overall operation.

Sentencing, Imprisonment, and Release

In October 2022, Jamil Hopoate was sentenced in the District Court to a maximum term of three years and nine months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and three months, for attempting to import a commercial quantity of by collecting and delivering approximately eight kilograms concealed in a vehicle's lining as part of a larger 514-kilogram syndicate importation valued at around $154 million. The court heard that Hopoate, then aged 27, had agreed to the courier role for a $10,000 payment and was arrested at gunpoint by undercover officers in Sydney's south-west on July 1, 2021, during a linked to an international crime network. Judge Andrew Scotting emphasized Hopoate's guilty plea in May 2022 as a but highlighted the seriousness of the offense given the drug's purity and volume, noting Hopoate's prior knowledge of the package contents from syndicate instructions. Hopoate was remanded in custody following sentencing and served his term at facilities including Correctional Centre, where he reportedly engaged in rehabilitation programs amid the syndicate's broader connections to groups like the Kinahan cartel. The non-parole period accounted for time already served on remand since his initial , aligning with standard Australian sentencing practices for drug importation under the Criminal Code Act 1995. Hopoate was released on parole in mid-2024 after completing the minimum term, subsequently residing with his father, , in and reuniting with his young children. conditions reportedly included restrictions on associating with known criminals and requirements for ongoing supervision, though specific details remain subject to correctional authority protocols.

Public Perception and Reflections

Media Coverage and Criticisms

Media coverage of Jamil Hopoate's career has centered on his repeated off-field misconduct, often overshadowing his brief professional stints. In December 2014, detailed his sentencing to a minimum one-year jail term for a "drunken, brutal and unprovoked" on a man outside a pub, emphasizing the severity of the attack that left the victim with facial fractures. ABC News reported Manly Sea Eagles' immediate sacking of the 20-year-old, framing it as a consequence of his failure to uphold club standards despite promising junior talent. Subsequent incidents amplified scrutiny, with outlets like News.com.au in July 2021 revealing court details of Hopoate's verbal threats to "bash" security guards before assaulting his partner at a club, portraying the episode as part of a pattern of alcohol-fueled violence. Fox Sports covered his February 2021 guilty plea to the assault, noting it left his NRL prospects in "limbo" and highlighted prior disciplinary issues, including ejections and club sackings. Hopoate's 2021 arrest and 2022 conviction for supplying as a in a $154 million importation scheme drew extensive condemnation across Australian media. ABC News reported his October 2022 sentencing to a maximum three years and nine months for attempting to deliver eight kilograms of the drug, paid approximately $7,000-$10,000 for the role. described the operation's scale and Hopoate's "red-handed" capture at a warehouse, linking it to broader efforts against . Criticisms in reporting frequently underscore a self-destructive trajectory, with Daily Mail attributing Hopoate's downfall to squandered opportunities from a rugby dynasty marked by prior scandals under his father, John Hopoate. Coverage in outlets like News.com.au also faulted peers, such as Brisbane Broncos players, for associating with him post-conviction, as seen in backlash over a deleted photo sparking integrity concerns within the sport. While some pieces, including a 2019 Daily Mail profile, noted brief redemption efforts after his initial release—such as community work and NRL return—the consensus portrayed persistent poor judgment undermining athletic potential.

Personal Statements and Accountability

In February 2019, following his approval by the NRL Integrity Unit to resume playing after a nine-month jail term for , Jamil Hopoate stated that the experience had profoundly impacted him, declaring, "No-one wants to go through that but it has made me the man I am today. I have changed my ways and now I am trying to be a better person and for my daughter." He expressed self-disappointment over "wasting time" and "letting not just myself but my family down," positioning himself as "a perfect example of what not to do" for aspiring players, in contrast to his brother Will's exemplary conduct. During his October 2021 court sentencing for assaulting his partner and related drink-driving offenses, Hopoate submitted a letter of apology in which he "fully accepted his actions and expressed deep ." His legal representative emphasized that Hopoate did not evade responsibility for his "disgraceful behavior," refused to blame external factors, and acknowledged a chronic alcohol dependency dating back to age 15, contributing to the magistrate's decision to impose a community correction order rather than . In a conducted amid proceedings for his involvement in a large-scale cocaine importation scheme, Hopoate detailed the origins of his behavioral decline, attributing it to depression and pressure after his 2014 sacking by Manly Sea Eagles at age 20, which led to excessive drinking, losses, and intermittent use while intoxicated. He admitted alcohol "turns me into a monster," confessed to pushing his partner during an alcohol-fueled incident as "s*** of me," and credited prior jail time with fostering appreciation for his football opportunities, stating, "Being inside... made me realise what I had and how precious it is." Hopoate asserted personal reform, claiming, "I don’t want to be that guy, but I’m in a better place now. I don’t drink. I’ve hung up my party boots." At his October 2022 sentencing for attempting to supply eight kilograms of —part of a $154 million importation operation—judicial assessment confirmed Hopoate's remorse, with District Court Judge David Norton noting good rehabilitation prospects despite the offense's severity, resulting in a non-parole period of two years and three months.

References

  1. https://www.nrl.com/players/rugby-league-world-cup-9s/tonga-invitational/jamil-hopoate/
  2. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/jamil-hopoate/summary.html
  3. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/jamil-hopoate-jailed-sydney-cocaine-delivery/101556150
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/dec/10/manly-sea-eagles-jamil-hopoate-jailed-over-unprovoked-attack
  5. https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/sacked-bronco-freed-from-prison-after-serving-time-for-role-in-154m-cocaine-bust/news-story/d228f25efc2397e6d8a14fe5ea7f5b8c
  6. https://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/9036467/jamil-hopoates-rocky-road-from-prison-to-purpose-with-nyngan/
  7. https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hopoate-family-dynasty-continuesalmost/
  8. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-nsw/exnrl-player-jamil-hopoate-reveals-booze-turns-me-into-a-monster-in-tellall-interview/news-story/47325194828b396e344cddc6ec9c2668
  9. https://www.espn.com/nrl/story/_/id/24369951/john-hopoate-set-learn-rugby-league-ban
  10. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/john-hopoate/summary.html
  11. https://nit.com.au/02-09-2024/13477/fearless-hopoate-condending-for-a-famous-family-first
  12. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/william-hopoate/summary.html
  13. https://www.zerotackle.com/hopoate-dynasty-grows-14-year-old-signs-with-nrl-club-219606/
  14. https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/02/19/ive-learned-some-painful-lessons-jamil-hopoate/
  15. https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/03/10/hopoate-gains-five-kilos-of-muscle-ahead-of-broncos-debut/
  16. https://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2014/06/24/nyc--nsw-cup-team-lists-/
  17. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/jamil-hopoate-jailed-for-brutal-assault/bmlyx1g66
  18. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/sport/jamil-hopoate-a-changed-man-and-back-playing-rugby-league-after-release-from-jail/news-story/ad50d79cf00af2c1ae75629fb9897d0c
  19. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/jamil-hopoate-debut-blocked-by-nrl/opj8ogtfm
  20. https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2020/03/12/jamil-hopoate---always-impressive/
  21. https://www.espn.com.au/nrl/story/_/id/17437097/jamil-hopoate-debut-blocked-nrl
  22. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/sea-eagles/nrl-integrity-unit-blocks-jamil-hopoates-manly-sea-eagles-debut/news-story/744635db953c7568b0e3dd00200f50a3
  23. https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/04/28/hopoate-rewarded-with-brisbane-contract-after-daughter-inspires-career-revival/
  24. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-11/hopoate-sacked-by-sea-eagles-after-prison-sentence/5961914
  25. https://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/8996668/nyngan-tigers-confirm-signing-of-jamil-hopoate-for-2025-pmp/
  26. https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/sea-eagles/how-12-bottles-of-beer-led-jamil-hopoate-into-legal-trouble/news-story/b16fb69174a8871aba46514ef190d376
  27. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/older-hopoate-still-a-willing-eels-recruit-despite-younger-brothers-sacking-20121212-2b918.html
  28. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-11/eels-dump-jamil-hopoate-over-behaviour-issues/4421182
  29. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/eels-dump-hopoate-for-camp-episode-20121211-2b6wn.html
  30. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/parramatta-eels-terminate-jamil-hopoates-contract-over-rookie-camp-discipline-breaches/news-story/d5acfa5d3e41c0cc3c25e5ccf626b834
  31. https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/parramatta-eels-sack-jamil-hopoate-over-offfield-behaviour/news-story/e7f9dcfb29426ca9ad345f73eecb3a2d
  32. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/former-nrl-player-jamil-hopoate-contracts-covid-19-awaiting-assault-charges-outcome-20211008-p58yeg.html
  33. https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/i-will-bash-them-jamil-hopoates-verbal-tirade-before-he-assaulted-partner-revealed/news-story/135549b3274158e075adf7ca6967efba
  34. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-19/former-nrl-player-jamil-hopoate-charged-with-cocaine-importation/100148300
  35. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/jamil-hopoate-granted-bail-on-drug-supply-charge-linked-to-154-million-cocaine-investigation-20210702-p5867a.html
  36. https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/nsw/2021/05/19/jamil-hopoate-charged-155m-cocaine-bust
  37. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-05/jamil-hopoate-pleads-guilty-to-cocaine-supply/101042178
  38. https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/exnrl-star-jamil-hopoate-paid-7000-to-act-as-drug-courier/news-story/9065e075ec4808332fe73d1d6b91ea5f
  39. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/couple-behind-the-cocaine-operation-that-sent-jamil-hopoate-to-prison-sentenced-to-33-years/news-story/f1bbf550fd24329477eb896764026069
  40. https://www.smh.com.au/national/former-nrl-player-jailed-for-cocaine-supply-20221020-p5brdt.html
  41. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/exbronco-jamil-hopoate-free-from-prison-after-irish-cartellinked-crime/news-story/168de7604a98f8f525290a8f682823a9
  42. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/broncos/nrl-2021-exbrisbane-broncos-player-jamil-hopoate-pleads-guilty-to-assault-after-spitting-on-bouncers-following-poker-room-fight/news-story/069fc83a617fa6c9b76f095b1132b2fa
  43. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9594053/Jamil-Hopoate-son-John-Hopoate-family-11-cocaine-bust-154-million.html
  44. https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/broncos-stars-under-fire/news-story/0ddf89641863b55af16a768b8b5c0c3a
  45. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6798301/How-NRL-bad-boy-John-Hopoates-son-Jamil-learnt-better-man-jail.html
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