Penrith Panthers star Soni Luke appears to be sticking his fingers up a Parramatta player’s rectum: ‘What the hell is going on here?’
- Mirrored incident against Cowboys in 2001
- Happened between former teammates
- Eels defeated Panthers with an upset result
Penrith Panthers utility Soni Luke has apologized for an incident where he was compared to NRL bad boy John Hopoate after sticking his fingers in rival player J’maine Hopgood’s anus.
The incident took place between the former teammates on Thursday night during Parramatta’s victory over the Panthers.
The vision has since spread on social media, with NRL fans quick to compare it to the incident involving Hopoate and Cowboys players in 2001.
“What the hell is going on here?” one fan posted the vision.
“Old teammates get reacquainted,” replied another.
Vision had Panthers player Soni Luke stick his fingers in the rectum of his former teammate and current Parramatta player J’maine Hopgood
Others called for Luke to be suspended for his actions.
“Surely this justifies a suspension,” one fan demanded.
‘Will anything come of this? Panthers are in trouble,” added another.
However, a Panthers official said it was a fun incident between two close friends and it went too far. However, senior management had spoken to Luke and he has since apologized for his actions.
The NRL is aware of the incident and no further action is expected.
John Hopoate had a lengthy criminal record during his time with the NRL, including a 12-week ban for sticking his fingers in the butts of North Queensland players in 2001.
Hopoate claimed that he only gave the players “wedgies.”
North Queensland players Peter Jones and Glenn Morrison gave detailed testimony to the tribunal, while former captain Paul Bowman accused Hopoate of doing the same to him.
A vision showed Hopoate sticking his fingers in the backs of North Queensland players during their duel in 2001
Hopoate wore a white glove during a 2018 Legends of League game where he reenacted the incidents
NRL commissioner Jim Hall said at the time: ‘In my 45 years of involvement in rugby league I have never encountered a more disgusting accusation.’
Later, Brisbane Broncos players Wendell Sailor and Mick De Vere accused Hopoate of using the tactic on them during matches as well.
Showing little remorse, Hopoate then appeared for a Legends of League tournament on the Central Coast in 2018, wearing a glove and jabbing opponents.
Luke was not charged overnight by the NRL Match Review Committee.
Panthers player Jesse McLean was the only player to be charged for a high tackle on Parramatta player Maiko Siva and will escape with a fine whether he contests the charge or not.