Star signings struggling
New Zealand players and coaches are always in demand by northern hemisphere clubs, but they may not always be the best option, says a UK rugby writer.
The Guardian’s Paul Rees writes that the likes of Julian Savea and Lima Sopoaga have struggled to make the impact many had expected, while coach Chris Boyd is an interesting fit at Northampton.
‘‘The New Zealand wing Julian Savea has failed to make an impact at Toulon this season; all that is gold does not always glitter,’’ Rees wrote.
‘‘Lima Sopoaga’s arrival at Wasps this season was intended to mitigate the loss of Danny Cipriani but the New Zealand flyhalf has taken time to adjust to the Premiership, not helped by injuries to the players inside and outside him, Dan Robson and Jimmy Gopperth. He is further proof that it is unwise to expect an instant return from pedigree players when they are exposed to a distinctly different climate.’’
Rees said that while All Blacks superstar Dan Carter made two European Champions Cup finals in his three years in France with Racing 92 and won the Top 14 competition, ‘‘Carter’s influence at a club that included five other former All Blacks was, if not muted, understated’’.
‘‘There have been a number of examples of New Zealand players who have successfully made the transition, notably Nick Evans at Harlequins. It is not so much how quickly they adjust but that they do.
‘‘Carlos Spencer, another All Black 10, dazzled intermittently for Northampton and Gloucester but was never going to bring the controlling influence Premiership coaches wrote.
‘‘The same applies to coaches. Northampton raised eyebrows last year when they announced Chris Boyd was arriving from the Hurricanes, home of the Barrett brothers. A club that for a decade had been arguably the most structured side in the Premiership had turned into risk-takers.
‘‘Boyd said immediately on arriving in England that he would not look to turn the Saints demand,’’ Rees into the Hurricanes, not least because the ingredients were different; evolution not revolution. New Zealand coaches who join clubs in the Premiership or Top 14 are confronted by something they have not experienced at home – relegation.’’
Rees said Sopoaga prefers to stand deeper than most Premiership playmakers but that makes the gainline harder to breach and the pressure is on as his side is slipping down the table.