ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Wednesday Sep 12, 2018

Overseas riches outweigh All Blacks jersey as 'players wise up' - Lima Sopoaga

Ex-All Black Lima Sopoaga has spoken out about the waning pull of the Black jersey and how younger players are making wiser business decisions about their playing future in a startling interview with The Daily Mail.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sopoaga, a recent addition to Wasps, believes more New Zealand players will follow the path of Charles Piutau as the lure of overseas riches outweighs the importance of playing for the All Blacks.

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

“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.

The 27-year-old flyhalf believes that players are talking more and more about their situations with each other, which has influenced how they make contracting decisions.

”For players these days, a lot of us are starting to talk to each other more and talk about experiences and about how we can benefit from the game, because it is a business and it can be pretty cut-throat. That’s the way it is. Players are starting to wise up to that.

This is a trend that Sopoaga sees continuing, with more New Zealand players in their mid-20’s heading offshore.

ADVERTISEMENT

”I think it is a pattern. 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. It’s not something you should take lightly.

”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.”

He explained how his perspective changed since becoming a father with his own young family now the number one priority.

”For me, having my daughter changed things – how I looked at rugby, how I looked at life. Having her, the picture was changed; where I wanted to head, what I wanted to do, how I wanted to set up my future. Rugby isn’t forever, it can all be taken away from you, that all came into consideration.

ADVERTISEMENT

”Every kid growing up in New Zealand wants to be part of the All Blacks. It is pretty special, but at the same time, it was time to try something else. I made peace with the decision.”

Related Articles

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Foster stages assault on World Rugby headquarters...

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    South africa hammer new zealand

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks lead all blacks halftim



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 HOURS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 6 HOURS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

View All

Funnies

  • 23 HOURS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

View All

Amateur

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 HOURS AGO

    Jersey Reds player evicted from own home following club collapse

  • 23 HOURS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 23 HOURS AGO

    Watch Namibian wingers display incredible speed against Uruguay

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Vakatawa signs for English Premiership side in sensational return to rugby

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Exclusive: 'The Aussie DNA is missing' - David Campese reflects on Wallaby exit and ponders the future of Aussie rugby

View All