[3] New zA Massey High School student, Hape started his rugby education as a Te Atatu Roosters junior, which was coached by his father and managed by his mother.

In round two of the 2002 season Hape injured his anterior cruciate ligament, which ruled him out for the year and he missed the Grand Final.

Helped to settle into English life by Paul and his wife, Hape missed only one of the Bulls' 35 games in the 2003 season, scoring 15 tries.

Hape played for the Bradford Bulls at centre and scored a try in their 2003 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors.

Having won Super League VIII, Bradford played against 2003 NRL Premiers, the Penrith Panthers in the 2004 World Club Challenge.

Hape played for the Bradford Bulls at centre and scored a try in their 2004 Super League Grand Final loss against the Leeds Rhinos.

In 2004, Hape was chosen to represent New Zealand in the Gillette Tri-Nations, replacing his partner on the wing at the Bulls Vainikolo who was out with a knee injury.

After Bulls and New Zealand colleague Vainikolo made a successful switch to rugby union with Gloucester, Hape was initially linked with Guinness Premiership-bound Northampton Saints.

As a result, in February 2011 Hape agreed to join London Irish for the 2011–2012 season, replacing the departing Samoan centre Seilala Mapusua.

[10] After representing England in the World Cup in his native New Zealand, on his return he was cited for four weeks for a high tackle, followed by an injury plagued domestic season.

Although there was fear that his pairing with Mike Tindall lacked the attacking power that other centres possessed however they made up for it with excellent defence leading to the England winning the tournament although narrowly missing out on the grand slam due to a defeat by Ireland.

[15] In 2023, Hape participated in season 3 of Match Fit, where former rugby league players return to play against the Australian counterparts.