1
'I get a lot of questions on how life on this side of the world is' - Wasps' Lima Sopoaga on his chats with former Kiwi teammates
Wasps’ rare weekend off has left Lima Sopoaga plotting and planning for this Sunday’s Mother’s Day. When he was weighing up his choices of either sticking by the Dunedin-based Highlanders after eight Super Rugby seasons or embarking on a new adventure in the UK with Wasps, one temptation that helped swing the deal in favour of a Premiership move was the prospect of having Europe and other destinations nearby.
ADVERTISEMENT
Having made the move north the out-half has now got to live up to that promise nearing the end of a hectic campaign where he has featured in 20 of Wasps’ 27 matches across three competitions, a schedule that he has found tough to adjust to.
“When we get weeks off or time away I have been lucky enough to travel, so far that has been the big drawcard,” he told RugbyPass during a week where the Coventry club has taken stock before their end-of-season Premiership run-in.
“I guess that is how I convinced my partner to move to the other side of the world. I said that she would be able to see the world and see places that we have never seen before. I have been to Majorca in Spain so far, travelled to Dubai and got some sun.
“With Mother’s Day coming up I have got a bit of a surprise trip over the weekend. It’s going to be pretty cool. A lot of moving up here had to do with the opportunities that the UK offers being so close to Europe and being able to see things you’d never ever see living in little old New Zealand.
(Continue reading below…)
“What better time to be young and fit and on the other side of the world. I can only speak for now. I probably wouldn’t be on this side of the world if it wasn’t for rugby and if it wasn’t for the opportunities that it has given me. I know when I am into my 30s and my 40s I will be back in New Zealand and coming this far around the world, that will be just a bit too much for me so why not enjoy it while I can.”
Home thoughts are never too far from the mind of the Lower Hutt 28-year-old. With Super Rugby back on the beat, the sleeping habits of his young daughter Milla ensures he keeps up with the action. “I still get up early and watch their games, probably because my daughter wakes up at 5:30 most mornings so I’m up anyway.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s cool to keep in touch with those boys and I get a lot of questions asking me how life on this side of the world is and I just let them know. It has been pretty cool to see what they are doing back home as a pure spectator fan now and I love it.”
He was also touched by the New Zealand reaction to the terror attacks in Christchurch. “For a Kiwi living abroad it was really disheartening to see such a disgusting act of terrorism happen on our shores. But also it was quite emotional as well to see the love and the support that the community had for each other, especially the Muslim community because they definitely needed a lot of love and support.
“I know those families are being well supported back home by strangers, by friends, by family so it’s heartwarming to know that in the midst of such travesty that Kiwis were there for each other.”
My heart breaks for the Muslim community and those families who lost loved ones today in Christchurch. My love goes out to you all ?. Sad sad day in NZ
— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) March 15, 2019
Family was a massive consideration why Sopoaga upped sticks. He had won 16 All Black caps under Steven Hansen and would have been a contender for squad inclusion for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, the opportunity to financially help out his family with a salary reported to be worth around NZ$1million per year took precedence when he chose to follow the path taken by fellow former All Blacks Charles Piutau and Steve Luatua who left home at the peak of their careers. There are no regrets whatsoever nearing the end of year one of a two-and-a-half year deal.
“That’s professional sport and I made a decision based on what I thought was best for myself and for my family. Coming up here with Wasps being such a great club and having such good players and a great community that gets behind and supports them, that has definitely helped make that move so much easier. I have got to thank the club for that and the supporters for helping me adjust to life in the UK.
“I come from a family of six kids and mum and dad. That’s a fairly standard island family, I’d say. Coming from a big family there wasn’t always much going around, but we had plenty of love and we had more than enough. Sometimes these decisions to play rugby abroad definitely have that factored in, but so far I’m enjoying my time at Wasps and while it has been difficult for me on the field personally and for the club, I know I’ll be better for it.”
Sopoaga quips that the UK winter took him by surprise. “I didn’t realise it was going to be so long and dark and cold.” Far more seriously, though, he is committed to making some off-season adjustments to ensure his second season in England will be far more rewarding than a first where Wasps are currently in eighth sport with just seven wins in 17 and a whole heap of losses that should have been wins.
Anyone been to Berlin? Recommendations on where to stay?
— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) March 26, 2019
“We have been on the wrong side of the ledger with the few games that we probably should have won. It just comes back to maybe a bit of confidence and sometimes that is a hard to thing to get. Unfortunately we have just missed the boat on a few of the games recently and we need to find that mojo quickly and get back to winning ways.
“When I first started rugby I was kind of like life or death and I used to get pretty dark (about losing), but having a family has definitely puts some perspective on winning and losing rugby games these days. It’s tough but at the end of the day when I go home and see my daughter, she is not worried about whether I have won or lost a football game. She just wants to see her dad. Sometimes things are really put into perspective.
“I’d say after this year I will be evaluating the year that it has been. I’d say I will make a few adjustments heading into next season. It’s very physical over here. That is what I noticed straightaway, that guys are a lot bigger over here.
“It’s very dominated by physicality and that is a big difference. And you play so many games and have so many different competitions. Bouncing in and out of one or the other has been a challenge for me in learning how to deal with the rigours of rugby up here.”
UK rugby, though, does have its lighter moments. Having grown up in the Wellington area and been inspired by All Blacks on his doorstep, he knows the value of giving back and he didn’t hesitate in helping out on Wednesday night when Wasps held a Gallagher Premiership Train with your Heroes session with the Kenilworth Ladies rugby team.
We’re having a brilliant night at @kenilworthrugby ladies, the local winners of our #TrainWithYourHeroes competition for @WaspsRugby, led by stars Ashley Johnson, @wjjleroux and @LimaSopoaga #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/u9FpeZCrAE
— Gallagher UK (@GallagherUK) March 27, 2019
“There was always a lot of the local talent floating around the club scene,” said Sopoanga about his grassroots upbringing. “We had Ma’a Nonu, Piri Weepu, Neemia Tialata when we were growing up, idolising them and seeing them.
“That was always pretty cool and I now really enjoy coming back to grassroots. For any rugby player, especially ones from New Zealand, grassroots rugby played a pivotal role in giving us that dream to play professional rugby. To come back and give back to the community, especially women’s rugby, is pretty special.
“I do think the women’s game has a big future, especially you look at the rugby sevens and what has done of the women’s game. You can just look around the world and there is some exceptional women’s talent going around. The girls play this game just as good as the guys and it’s pretty cool to see. It can only be better for the sport.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Must be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
3 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
3 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
3 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to comments