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Lima Sopoaga: Wasps sign All Blacks fly-half for the 2018-19 season

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments121

Lima Sopoaga in action for New Zealand against Australia
Lima Sopoaga made the first of 16 Test appearances for New Zealand against South Africa in 2015

Wasps have signed All Blacks fly-half Lima Sopoaga for the 2018-19 season from Super Rugby side Highlanders.

The 26-year-old, who has played 16 Tests for the All Blacks, has effectively ruled himself out of selection for the 2019 World Cup.

All Black selection policy dictates that players at overseas clubs are not considered for the national team.

"It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make but is one I'm at peace with," he posted on Instagram.external-link

Sopoaga has mainly been used as back-up to first-choice fly-half Beauden Barrett.

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen said he was disappointed but understood Sopoaga's reasons for leaving.

"Our job now will be to develop the next player to take his place," he said.

Sopoaga has scored 55 points in 16 appearances since making his All Blacks Test debut against South Africa in July 2015.

He has also made 74 appearances for Dunedin-based Highlanders since making his debut in 2011, helping them to their first Super Rugby title in 2015, when he weighed in with a club-record haul of 191 points.

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: "When a world-class fly-half became available we jumped at the chance, as that doesn't happen very often.

"Lima's track record with the All Blacks, Highlanders and Southland speaks for itself."

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121 comments

  • Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 17:12 15 Jan 2018

    @41 You've failed to understand the very simple idea that Sopoaga can not play for England, as you stated he would, as he's already got senior caps for New Zealand.

    You've made a mistake, and whether you're from New Zealand or not, I actually doubt it, and you've just decided to fake this to allow you to troll, you should either admit it, or at the least stop digging this hole for yourself.

  • Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 13:14 15 Jan 2018

    Great signing for Wasps. You only have to look at how successful Nick Evans was for Harlequins to see how good the "2nd best" fly half in New Zealand can be.

  • Comment posted by BB51, at 16:20 15 Jan 2018

    32 He will end up playing for England then in a few years then.

    You really don't know much, He's already played for NZ (16 times). He cannot play for another country.

    31The Wasps academy also produced Joe Launchbury, James Haskell, Tom Rees and Sam Jones (broken by England 15 months ago). The current squad has 10 ex-academy lads, and a current one made his Prem debut this season.

  • Comment posted by BB51, at 16:49 15 Jan 2018

    37 - further to previous, why did Nick Evans, Luke McAlister and Carl Hayman never play for England? Because they weren't allowed to, under IRB/World Rugby regulations.

    Only 2 men have played for England after representing another country. One was in 1892, the other in 1985. Eight All Blacks previously played for another country, most of them much more recently

  • Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 13:24 15 Jan 2018

    @3 Yes he's made the decision to come to Wasps for the money. What's the problem with that? Any rugby player has a short career and has the right to chose how best they can capitalise on that. At 26 he'll be hitting his peak years, and so be able to command his peak salary.

    Nick Evans did much the same thing, think he was 27 when he moved over, which was great for Harlequins. Whats your point?

  • Comment posted by BB51, at 18:27 15 Jan 2018

    He's crawled out of his hole again. Let's give it another try.

    How exactly is Sopoaga going to end up playing for England, since current regulations forbid it?

  • Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 17:20 15 Jan 2018

    @50 I believe it's a heady mix of meths, methadone and mein kampf

    I'd stay well clear if I were you.

  • Comment posted by jubbs, at 13:54 15 Jan 2018

    Wonder if this means Cipriani is off. With EJ in charge he'll never play for England again, so a move abroad is a distinct possibility.

  • Comment posted by BB51, at 15:17 15 Jan 2018

    Some people are raising questions about the salary cap. Can I respectfully suggest that they read up on marquee players? Furthermore, the Wasps squad has one of the highest proportions of English players.

  • Comment posted by U15132811, at 12:52 16 Jan 2018

    @102 You obviously aren't clued up to WR/IRB regulations, he has 16 full caps for New Zealand , so no matter how many English Grannies he has, he can't play for England (unless the RFU use their supposed power to sidestep it!)

  • Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 20:49 15 Jan 2018

    @73 look the English have taken full responsibility for Cuthbert before, and have apologised profusely. Please can we just let the matter drop?

  • Comment posted by Dave W, at 19:03 15 Jan 2018

    Not sure why people are so worried about home grown fly halves. Have you not seen Marcus Smith play lately? Plenty of young talent coming through in other positions too. The future's bright for English rugby, and quality international players just make the prem all the more exciting

  • Comment posted by Reg Mombassa, at 17:15 15 Jan 2018

    Dcs150.
    ‘He’s a kiwi reject’ - not sure why there is a need to make such an offensive and immature comment - that’s good news for Wasps and rugby generally to get such a talented player.
    I think we ought to looking forward to seeing him play here.

  • Comment posted by BasilF, at 17:02 15 Jan 2018

    @41 - please tell us how to interpret the following:

    "He will end up playing for England then in a few years then"

    Your words, now I understood them to saying that he will play rugby for England in a few years' time, but you have said that we have misunderstood. Would be interested in being told what this actually means ...

  • Comment posted by Mr Sifter, at 15:55 15 Jan 2018

    @7 Lozowski elected to stay in London when Wasps moved to Coventry rather than being given the boot

    @21 Wasps and Quins were one of two clubs who opposed the vote to suspend a probe into alleged salary cap breaches by clubs

    @24 Wasps have nurtured plenty of talent - Billy Vunipola, Lozowski, Daly, Cipriani, Wade.. nothing wrong with any club enhancing young talent with the best in the world

  • Comment posted by AndyMP, at 21:09 15 Jan 2018

    As a rather depressed Tigers fan, I'd gladly have Cipriani. Go on Cips, we're only up the road!
    The BOGOF offer on the Ford's ain't working out that well so far.

  • Comment posted by Malc9, at 18:29 15 Jan 2018

    DCS150 - you still haven't explained how Sopoaga is going to end up playing for England?

    Enlighten us please?

  • Comment posted by K1W1, at 16:30 15 Jan 2018

    They are coming over younger and younger. The money is just so good in the NH. Southern clubs can't come close. And of course, he's a great player and doesn't want be second to Barrett for his AB career. Sad but good luck to Lima

  • Comment posted by TapandGo, at 13:37 15 Jan 2018

    Great signing for wasps - we need to ensure we get the balance right with foreign imports and a high percentage of English players playing week in week out.

  • Comment posted by JamesB, at 21:51 15 Jan 2018

    Cips would appear to be off to France....don't blame him now 30, dismissed from England side...who wouldn't take the cash in France????

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