Hopoate snaps over his photo

Disgraced rugby league player John Hopoate has threatened to sue the New Zealand Cancer Society for using a photo of him sticking his finger up an opponent's backside.

The photo is being used to advertise prostate cancer checks and tells worried men: "It won't hurt a bit - promise."

Hopoate's manager, Wayne Beavis, said they had not been approached about using the photograph and said he was looking at the legal ramifications. "We're looking at it now," he said. "He's shattered."

Wellington Cancer Society divisional manager Roger Taylor said from New Zealand he had some misgivings about how its members and donors would react to the advertisement.

"It's a difficult message to get across for a difficult disease and we felt our normal health promotion doesn't work that well and that this was a topical issue that would perhaps get it out there," Taylor said.

John Chalk, chairman of Hopoate's former club, Wests Tigers, said he was astonished by the adverts.

"I'm appalled. Prostate cancer is a serious matter," he said.Australian Cancer Society chief executive Alan Coates was surprised by the New Zealand advert.

"We would not have used it," he said.

National Rugby League chief executive David Moffett also attacked the adverts.

"It was in appalling bad taste," Moffett said. "They want to use somebody's unauthorised image that he would not want to be used and I think it's just appalling.

"Whoever their ad agency is needs to have a look at themselves."

Hopoate, 27, resigned from the Wests Tigers on Sunday after being banned for 12 matches for his niggling tactics.

Chalk said the 27-year-old Hopoate had been given a financial settlement - the player was reportedly on £100,000 a year.

The other Australian rugby league clubs have said they will not be signing the player when he is eligible to play again.