Lima Sopoaga

Sopoaga outstanding in his debut for Manu Samoa

The fly-half contributed in Samoa’s strong outing after successfully kicking one conversion and two penalties.

However, Samoa fell short 13-17 against the world number one side.

Sopoaga is one of the three former All Blacks players that was named by Coach Seilala Mapusua for the Manu Samoa’s Rugby World Cup squad.

He was named alongside flanker Steven Luatua and prop Charlie Faumuin.

     

Lima Sopoaga hopeful for future switch to Samoa

Players can switch allegiances by playing in an Olympic qualifying event, provided they have a passport for the second country and have completed a stand down period of three years.

UK-based Sopoaga hoped to play in Samoa's Olympic Sevens qualifiers held in Monaco last month, but had already made plans to visit family in New Zealand.

French media claim Sopoaga's Wasps exit a done deal

And according to a report by RMC Sport, the fly-half is set to join Top14 side Lyon next season. Lyon have been in the market for a new no 10, and had been linked with Marcus Smith before he agreed a new deal with Harlequins, as well as Munster’s JJ Hanrahan.

However RMC claim Sopoaga, who has also been linked to the Stormers in South Africa, has always been Lyon’s top target.

Lima Sopoaga signing labelled 'clumsy mistake' by top UK pundit

Sopoaga, 28, left New Zealand in 2017, signing a two-year deal with Wasps for a reported $1.1m per season.

However, Sopoaga's arrival in England has not gone to plan, rated as the Premierships "worst signing" after his first season.

Now into his second year with Wasps, Sopoaga's woes have continued, left out of their match day 23 altogether as his side fell 35-31 to Northampton.

Rookie and former England youth representative, not to mention nephew of All Black Tana, Jacob Umaga took the number 10 jersey, while 36-year-old Jimmy Gopperth was in reserve.

All Blacks jersey losing its allure: Sopoaga

The 16-test first five-eighth says New Zealand Rugby's policy of not selecting overseas-based players is under threat, with the temptation of lucrative contracts in the northern hemisphere starting to force a change.

"I do think that things are starting to change and players are starting to wise up," Sopoaga told the Daily Mail.

"They realise that it's a business these days. When you've got it, you've got it, but when you don't, clubs aren't going to be afraid to cut you."

Young hails Sopoaga signing

The playmaker last week revealed he will leave Highlanders and turn his back on the All Blacks at the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season.

Wasps on Monday announced that Sopoaga, capped 16 times by the world champions, will link up with the Coventry-based club for the 2018-19 campaign.

And director of rugby Young felt the opportunity to recruit the 26-year-old was good to pass up.

"When a world-class fly-half became available we jumped at the chance, as that doesn't happen very often," the Welshman stated.

Sopoaga confirms move to English team

The 26-year-old Highlanders star announced on social media that he's signed a three-year deal with English club Wasps.

Sopoaga, who recently became a father for the first time, said it was a difficult decision to make.

"It's with a heavy heart that I announce that my family and I will be leaving NZ at the end of the 2018 season," Sopoaga wrote on Instagram.

All Black welcomes baby Milla

The Highlanders and Southland first five-eighths and partner Miriam on Saturday welcomed baby Milla into the world.

Sopoaga was a late withdrawal from the All Blacks' trip to Argentina for next weekend's Rugby Championship clash against the Pumas, replaced by Beauden Barrett who had originally been slated for a rare week off.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confirmed on Friday before flying out of Auckland for Buenos Aires that Sopoaga would almost certainly join them in Cape Town for the following weekend's Rugby Championship finale against the Springboks.

Barrett replaces Lima Sopoaga

The hard-working All Blacks first five-eighth, who has started all eight tests in 2017, was originally slated as one of six players to sit out the trip to Buenos Aires for the Rugby Championship clash against Argentina.

But that plan has proven ill-fated, with the 26-year-old called in at late notice to replace Southland's Lima Sopoaga in the travelling squad of 28 to face the Pumas, as the All Blacks look to seal another title with their fifth victory from as many matches in the competition.

Lima Sopoaga in doubt

Already sidelined for most the season with a hamstring injury, the Highlanders' first-five eighth is in doubt for Saturday's South Island derby against the Crusaders in Christchurch with a calf injury.

Sopoaga, who has had 45 minutes off the bench the past two weeks, tweaked his calf late in the Highlanders' 44-28 win against the Waratahs in Dunedin last weekend. 

The 26-year-old sat out training on Tuesday, and Highlanders coach Tony Brown has bracketed him on the bench with former Christchurch Boys' High School pivot Fletcher Smith.