Riches could tempt more young All Blacks into exile

being tempted by the lure of a Wales cap and the financial benefits it brings.

And his fellow Kiwi Hadleigh Parkes has become a mainstay of Warren Gatland’s midfield after serving a three-year residency period following a move to the Scarlets from Auckland.

“I do think that things are starting to change and players are starting to wise up a bit,” said Sopoaga. “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.

“For players these days, a lot of us are starting to talk to each other more, about experiences and about how we can benefit from the game because it is a business and it can be pretty cutthroat at times. That’s the way it is.”

Eighteen-times capped Sopoaga, a Super Rugby title winner with the Highlanders, maintained it was a simple choice for him to join Wasps.

He made the move despite knowing his international career would be over while in exile under New Zealand’s diktat on eligibility.

“For a lot of guys like myself who come from big families, from low socio-economic backgrounds, the chance to change your family’s life is pretty overwhelming,” said 27-yearold Sopoaga.

“It’s not something you should take lightly and sometimes the jersey is not enough for a better life.

“It is special when you do get it, the experiences you do have are pretty surreal, but down the track those things don’t pay for a roof over your head.”