Sopoaga’s not only All Black signing on
BILLY Searle once played for the Cornish All Blacks – now the precocious fly-half is ready to face down one of New Zealand’s more famous equivalents as he aims to make his name at Wasps.
Confident playmaker Searle will challenge Jimmy Gopperth and Kiwi Test star Lima Sopoaga, below, for the No.10 berth in Wasps’ multinational backline next season after being snapped up from Bristol.
Searle, 22, who came through the ranks at the Launceston-based All Blacks before being picked up by Plymouth and then Bristol, is unfazed by the prospect of such esteemed company.
He told TRP: “Whenever you go to a top team in the Premiership you are going to have big competition and that is only healthy – it is going to bring the best out of me.
“I’m looking forward to that and competing against them. I’ll learn off their games and hopefully they’ll learn stuff off me. We have different strengths and it’s an exciting move as it’s another step up to a top European team.”
Searle added: “I had two really good years at Bristol, who gave me a platform I’m grateful for. It’s a really good city and they have got a really good fanbase.
“I had the option to stay but thought if I didn’t go to Wasps now I might regret it down the line. It’s hard to turn down a club like that. If it doesn’t work out that’s the way it goes, but I’m confident I can do well there.”
Searle’s attacking mentality should help. He explained: “Wasps play running rugby, which suits me. They like to throw the ball around and speaking to Dai Young he was pretty keen on me, so I’m really excited to get up there and get amongst it.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind – first Bristol, now Wasps – but I’ll try to make the most of it and not let the magnitude of it all into my head.”