-Caveat Lector- [Unverified. --MS] ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 15:19:15 +0200 From: Kevin Haynes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: OT... SYDNEY, March 29 (AFP) - The ultimate bastion of macho Australia -- rugby league -- was reeling Thursday after Wests Tigers bad boy John Hopoate was found guilty of sticking his fingers up opponents' backsides. The Tongan-born Hopoate, who played two Tests for the Australian national side, the Kangaroos, in 1999, was banned for 12 National Rugby League championship matches. NRL commissioner Jim Hall described it as a "disgusting, vile and offensive act". "During my 45 years in rugby league, never have I come across a more disgusting act," Hall added. However, Talk-back radio was inundated with fans and ex-players telling how common the act was. And Hopoate's club coach, Terry Lamb, who played 349 first grade games, said it was reasonably common to be touched in the region of the testicles. Bernie Gross, who defended Hopoate before the NRL disciplinary commission, claimed he was only giving the players a "wedgie". But North Queensland's Peter Jones, one of three players Hopoate attacked, dismissed the claim. "Wedgies are when your pants are pulled up around your arse. I think I know the difference between a wedgie and someone sticking their fingers up my bum," Jones said. The 27-year-old Hopoate, a teetotaller Mormon with five children, has been in trouble with the NRL disciplinary commission seven times in the last four years, usually for fighting. It is not the first time such an unsavoury incident has been reported. Australian lock Bradley Clyde claimed Great Britain centre Garry Schofield inserted his finger in a 1992 Test at Sydney. Rugby league observers believe more of it goes on but players do not report it because they fear being embarassed. Gouging is still considered the most heinous offence because of the possibility of permanent blindness. Biting is fairly common but players usually turn a blind eye when hands or arms are bitten because they are usually up to no good. Tigers chairman John Chalk said they would appeal. "John is obviously very upset about the decision," he said. Test star Wendell Sailor, who switches codes to rugby union in September, said he had warned Hopoate his wayward finger would get him into trouble three weeks ago. Sailor said he had been "jabbed" by Hopoate when the Broncos played West Tigers. "At first I was very surprised," Sailor said. "He just stood there and smiled at me. "The second time he did it to (teammate) Mick De Vere and I complained to the touch judge and he (Hopoate) was laughing about it again. "I think he got me a third time and after that I said: 'you're kidding mate, you are going to get into trouble'." Action was only taken after the North Queensland Cowboys lodged a formal complaint on Monday that Hopoate had attacked Jones, Paul Bowman and Glenn Morrison in Saturday night's match However, Sailor's Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett was following the league code of silence. "I think enough has been said," Bennett said. "He didn't kill anybody." At the Wednesday night disciplinary committee meeting, Hopoate insisted he was merely trying to give Jones and Morrison a "wedgie" in order to perform a quick play-the-ball. Asked by his counsel where he was directing his finger at Bowman, Hopoate replied: "Between his arse and his nuts". Hopoate maintained he did nothing wrong and went on to say: "I'm a great believer in what happens on the field should stay there." Asked to describe what a wedgie felt like, the Tigers winger replied: "You get a burning sensation. Your undies are getting reefed up your arse." Bowman said he was attacked as he stood over Hopoate after tackling him. "That's when I felt fingers outside my shorts pushing up my arse," he said. "There was pressure there. I know he was not doing it accidentally. He was definitely pushing. "I was disgusted. I couldn't believe it. I know it's a tough game, but there's no room for that." Hopoate's counsel argued that Bowman had been trying to slow Hopoate from playing the ball by grabbing his leg. But Bowman maintained: "If he (Hopoate) was a man, he wouldn't do that." <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! 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