'It's always been a dream of mine to play for the Hurricanes': Lima Sopoaga's future ambitions
Lima Sopoaga played 88 matches for the Highlanders over an eight-year career with the men from the deep south of New Zealand.
In 2018, the talented playmaker made the decision to head to England, having helped the Highlanders to a Super Rugby title in 2015 as well as a win over the touring British & Irish Lions in 2017.
Sopoaga’s departure left a hole in the side that even the undeniable abilities of Josh Ioane won’t be able to fill for some time and it was a major disappointment for Highlanders fans at the time.
Further up the country in Wellington, Hurricanes supporters probably understood a little bit of what their compatriots in the south were going through, given that Sopoaga had previously made the decision to sign a contract with the Highlanders instead of his native Hurricanes.
“[Back in 2011], it was either a full contract for the Highlanders or a wider training squad contract with the Hurricanes,” Sopoaga told RugbyPass.
“Jamie Joseph was coaching the [Wellington] Lions at the time but he’d just accepted a job to go down to the Highlanders. I’d played just a couple of games for the Lions at the time, I think, then he gave me a call and asked me to come down to Dunedin.
“I told him I already had a training contract with the Hurricanes and he said, ‘No, this is a full contract,’ then told me I had two weeks to decide.”
Sopoaga was in two minds about the decision but obviously didn’t have too much time to mull the move over.
On the one hand, he had a contract on offer from the team he idolised growing up, albeit one that would likely see him spending considerably more time on the training pitch that on the playing field.
On the other hand, he’d been presented with the opportunity to join his provincial coach on a journey into the unknown.
In the end, it was the quest for higher honours than Super Rugby that saw Sopoaga pack up his bags and head south.
“I had some pretty good mates who played for the Hurricanes at the time and they just said that at the end of the day, my dream was to be an All Black, and I couldn’t achieve that dream holding tackle backs – I’d actually have to be out on the park playing some rugby,” Sopoaga said.
“I decided to just go down there and get some life experience – and that’s exactly what happened to me. Not only did I grow as a rugby player, but I grew as a person.”
Sopoaga didn’t expect to start too many matches with his new team due to the presence of Colin Slade, who’d also just relocated south, but was handed the No.10 jersey for the opening match of the 2011 competition after Slade broke his jaw during the pre-season.
Injuries unfortunately hampered Sopoaga for the rest of the season too but he was still able to get some handy minutes under his belt and in his fifth year with the Highlanders, helped guide the side to a Super Rugby championship – beating his old mates at the Hurricanes in the final.
“My family and friends, especially back in the days, were die-hard Hurricane supporters to the death,” Sopoaga said.
“I remember when I made the decision to leave Wellington, one of my cousins asked, ‘What the heck are you going to that **** team for?’ – Izzy Dagg was basically their only All Black and he’d just left to go to the Crusaders.”
You can imagine that a few of Sopoaga’s old friends were a fait bit miffed when he led the Highlanders to their victory – but winning at Westpac Stadium, the Hurricanes’ home-turf, meant Sopoaga was feeling nothing but ecstasy.
“To come home and play in front of a place I’ve been to for so many games and watched the Hurricanes play my whole life, to come home and obviously to win, was completely surreal,” Sopoaga said.
“I remember having tears of joy in a moment by myself.”
The decision to head south to the Highlanders when he was still a teenager had paid off immensely for Sopoaga – in more ways than one.
“I went down as a little 18-year-old and left that city as a 28-year-old man, having achieved my dreams; winning a title and having my daughter down there,” Sopoaga reflected.
“The replay got played over and over again and my head just kept dropping more and more as I looked at it.”
Former All Black Ben Smith spoke to @TomVinicombe about his less-than-ideal introduction to Top 14 rugby. #AllBlacks #SuperRugby #Top14https://t.co/o65Rt4T5Ug
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 13, 2020
Sopoaga is still chasing success in England after enduring a tough start to his life with his new side, Wasps. While Sopoaga’s future still resides in the UK, a return to New Zealand could be on the cards at some point – a return that might allow the first five to achieve his childhood dreams.
“I’ve got some really good mates – Ardie [Savea], TJ [Perenara] – and guys who I’ve played rugby with for a long time who are always trying to get me to come home,” Sopoaga revealed.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play for the Hurricanes. At least in the back of my mind, it’s always something that I’d consider.
“I grew up in Wellington, did all my schooling there and came up through the age-grades with guys like Brad Shields, Ardie, Jules [Savea]. I played with and against those guys the whole time I was growing up – so never say never.
In an ideal world, that won’t be any time soon, with Sopoaga thoroughly enjoying being in the Northern Hemisphere. The fly-half is well aware that he doesn’t have complete control over his future, however, and is willing to see where life takes him.
“My time over here might be cut short because of this coronavirus. You don’t know what’s going to happen, whether the competition will continue or not,” he said.
“I want to just crack on and keep this momentum going. I’d like to win something during my time up here as well.”
“I guess we’ve just got to wait and see. I could potentially see myself back [in New Zealand] at some point – never say never.”
While the sight of Lima Sopoaga sauntering onto the pitch formerly known as Westpac Stadium may send shivers down the spines of Hurricanes supporters everywhere, they may need to realign their expectations – the 29-year-old could be returning to make dreams come true, not destroy them.
Comments on RugbyPass
A very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust 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!
5 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.
5 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… 😉😂
5 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 comments