1
‘I’d love it back’: Lima Sopoaga’s plea as kicking tee saga rages on
Samoa playmaker Lima Sopoaga has issued another heartfelt plea as the former All Black continues to go without his beloved kicking tee that’s “been around the world.”
ADVERTISEMENT
This is a story that many can relate to. Whether you cherish a teddy bear, a blanket or even a goal-kicking tee, some people continue to treasure childhood items well into their adult life.
Sopoaga, now 32, has owned the rugby accessory for about 18 years. From Wellington College to the All Blacks, and even at stints with clubs in Europe, the tee has joined Sopoaga for the ride.
Playing in Bordeaux last weekend, Sopoaga brought the tee to the stadium ahead of his Rugby World Cup debut. Samoa went on to win 43-10 over Chile but the flyhalf was left feeling hurt.
“Could whoever took my goal-kicking tee from the field please give it back to me,” Sopoaga wrote on September 16th. “I’ll even pay you for it. I’ve had it since I was 14 years old.”
With 984 reposts, 4,874 likes and more than 973,500 views on X at the time of writing, rugby fans from around the world emphasised with Sopoaga, who even offered to pay for the tee.
Could whoever took my goal kicking tee from the field please give it back to me. I’ll even pay you for it. I’ve had it since I was 14 years old.
— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) September 16, 2023
Fans have gotten behind Sopoaga in an incredible way, but unfortunately, their efforts have been in vain so far. The Samoan flyhalf is still yet to be reunited with his prized possession.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sopoaga didn’t play against Argentina in a decisive World Cup clash in Saint-Etienne on Friday due to a calf injury, but the experienced flyhalf still stopped for a moment to talk.
Standing about a metre away from the Sopoaga, it was impossible not to sympathise with the former New Zealand international as he provided an update on the goal-kicking tee saga.
“F*** me whoever’s got it just give the **** back,” Sopoaga told RugbyPass on Friday. “Nah, I haven’t (got it back). I’d love it back aye, honestly, I’d love it back.
“I’ve had a few nice people reach out and offer their kicking tees which are kind of the same. I’ve got a friend in the UK, Alex, he sent me his one which is used which is the same.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I’ve had it since I was 14. As a little 14-year-old kid just had to find what was out there and at the time it was that and it’s just stuck with me ever since,” Sopoaga added.
“That’s why it’s got the black tape around it, it’s been through the wars. It’s been around the world with me, mate, it’s like a baby’s little doudou.
“I’d rather forget my rugby boots than my goal-kicking tee, but maybe it is what it is and we’ve just got to get on with it you know.”
Comments on RugbyPass
One that will start to come up from now on is penalties for back pushes during kick chase scrambles. Very difficult to detect. In Croke Park if you replay the Hendy NH try, you will see Furbank push Porter in the back, who collides with Larmour knocking the ball across into Hendy’s path to dot down. A more significant example was in the RWC QTR final where Arendse pushes Fickou into two other French players for the ball to spill into Arendse’s path for him to gather and run in to score SAs first try. Not cheating if you are not caught and very difficult to spot but with kicking becoming so critical I feel its an area that will referreeed/TMOes more.
3 Go to commentsWhat a pathetic little twit Andy Goode is, as if we care what he thinks…..😂
105 Go to commentsFoxy has been a wonderful player for the Scarlets and Wales.
1 Go to commentsNika the Georgian is the best referee in the world at the moment. Luckily we will be spared the shite SH refs and Barnes will hopefully remain retired given how shite and embarrassing he was at the RWC.
3 Go to commentsThis is the most exciting game of the summer imo, as we really won’t know in advance how both teams are going to play. - Will Robertson just reproduce his Crusaders tactics from last year, or will there be a conscious effort to borrow from the Hurricanes and Blues, and from the aspects of the ABs world cup strategy that worked well? - England under Borthwick have put in some good performances playing attacking rugby, and some good performances playing kick-oriented defensive rugby. Will Borthwick try to merge them together into a single all-court game, or will he continue switching between different approaches depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition?
1 Go to commentsI’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
1 Go to commentsI’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
9 Go to commentsFinals are always tense affairs for the players so I do not expect this to be a spectacle of running rugby unfortunately.
3 Go to commentsBulls***': Ex-England international calls out Eben Etzebeth… Not to his face but from very far away… after he’d left. Checked to make sure he wasn’t in the building.
105 Go to commentsHopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
7 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
3 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
3 Go to commentsWell one thing about World Cup knock out rounds and Ireland is very clear: they won’t be getting ahead of themselves in ‘27! Because making it beyond the QF is well and truly ‘IN THEIR HEADS’ now…😉
105 Go to commentsHas this guy been dope tested? Sounds like a case of “roid rage”.
1 Go to comments