League: Hopoate offside with ball boy

Controversial Manly winger John Hopoate faces a National Rugby League (NRL) investigation over an incident involving a ball boy during Sunday's match against the New Zealand Warriors at Ericsson Stadium.

Hopoate, who was suspended for nine matches last year for abusing an interchange official, has been mentioned in ground manager Ken Loza's report to the NRL after allegedly reacting angrily when the ball boy did not throw the ball to him for a restart.

Linesman Pat Reynolds is also alleged to have admonished the ball boy for placing the ball on the touchline, as he is required to do under NRL rules.

"There was a third-hand mention in the ground manager's report but I haven't been able to speak to the ball boy or anyone who has talked directly to the ball boy," NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said.

"It involved the touch judge, the ball boy and, obviously, Hoppa but exactly what transpired between the three of them, I am unsure at this stage."

- NZPA