It’s up to Wasps if they want me to stay – Jimmy
WASPS legend Jimmy Gopperth has given an indication as to which direction his career is heading ahead of next season.
The New Zealander has made 96 appearances since joining from Leinster in 2015 and has scored 51 points in his last four appearances.
However, his future remains unclear with the versatile back turning 37 this summer and Wasps have also recruited Ryan Mills from Worcester Warriors, whose primary position is at 12, the shirt number Gopperth is currently wearing.
The Telegraph understands that Gopperth was in contract negotiations with the club prior to the suspension of the Premiership season due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Many supporters have suggested the former Leinster and Newcastle Falcons back would be a welcome addition to the club’s coaching team, possibly in a player/coach role.
He has juggled his full-time playing duties with coaching level seven junior club Nuneaton Old Edwardians for the last three seasons.
With help from Craig Hampson for two years and this term, Ashley Johnson, the Eds have gone from relegation candidates to title contenders.
During a Facebook Live session on the official Wasps Facebook page, Gopperth was asked by a supporter: “Will you stay at Wasps and coach?” The 36-year-old replied: “That’s not up to me, it’s up to the bosses to see if they want me to do that!”
Reconstructive knee surgery and a thumb break in his return match limited Gopperth to just 23 minutes of rugby last term. But a resurgence in 2019/20 has seen him register 17 appearances, playing a pivotal role in allowing Jacob Umaga and Malakai Fekitoa to light up the Premiership.
His recent surge of points after taking over the kicking duties has also seen the former Hurricanes player break into the all-time top 10 Premiership point scorers list. Of the active players in the list, only Stephen Myler and Gareth Steenson have more points.
During an interview with the Telegraph last year, Gopperth stated he intends to play into his 40s, a sentiment he backed up in a recent interview.
He told the Telegraph: “I’m feeling really good and the main thing is I’m loving my rugby at the moment and I suppose if the love for the game’s still there there’s no reason why I can’t keep playing.”