Sopoaga’s decision reflects new norm
Sting in this tale for All Blacks selectors as Highlanders pivot takes money at Wasps
Lima Sopoaga’s decision to forgo a tilt at his first World Cup in favour of a lucrative overseas deal reflects the mindset of many modern professional athletes.
The 26-year-old has signed a twoyear deal with English Premiership side Wasps, effectively ruling him out of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, The Times newspaper reported yesterday.
Leading New Zealand players cashing in offshore is nothing new but the age of their exits are rapidly decreasing. And these moves are no longer timed around World Cup cycles.
Although South Africa and Australia are regularly picked off, we like to think the core of the All Blacks squad is immune from poaching. Sopoaga’s exit after one final Super Rugby campaign with the Highlanders tells us otherwise. It tells us the lure of the black jersey is not always enough.
Welcome to the new norm.
Sopoaga, who played 16 tests, was a lock-in the All Blacks matchday 23, and near certain to go to the 2019 World Cup. His assured goal-kicking alone is a valuable asset.
Sure, he didn’t take his chances in 2017. But he still played 12 matches for the All Blacks, enjoying significantly more game-time than his previous two years at the elite level. The All Blacks don’t cast aside that investment lightly, and would have backed Sopoaga to grow and respond to the challenge. But with young daughter, Milla, to consider, and soon-to-be installed Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie and Crusaders talent Richie Mo’unga nipping at his heels, Sopoaga has decided to take $1.13 million per season at Wasps over furthering his international career. He joins other All Blacks — Charles Piutau, Steven Luatua, Aaron Cruden, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito and Tawera Kerr-Barlow — who have recently left in their pomp. With each such defection the All Blacks lament impatience, believing the money will always be there. Many of those players grew tired of warming the bench waiting for chances, and fear serious injury could quash life-changing deals for themselves and family. The reality is rugby players now view themselves as a business, keen to cash in when their stock is high. The catch for Sopoaga is he will walk away from a chance to be a part of the first All Blacks team to win three successive Webb Ellis crowns. Rightly or wrongly, Sopoaga has shunned that chance. At the time of signing for Wasps he was the second choice first five-eighth in New Zealand behind Beauden Barrett; the next in line should Barrett fall over. No doubt the All Blacks will be frustrated with his move, having groomed him over the past three years. They are now left to largely start again with McKenzie and Mo’unga. But for them, the door is now ajar and they will make their cases during Super Rugby.