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Exclusive: Sopoaga in million dollar move to Premiership
By Scotty Stevenson
The English Premiership has swooped on another front line All Black with Lima Sopoaga set to announce he has signed with Wasps for the northern 2018/2019 season.
Reports suggest Sopoaga is set to earn in excess of NZD$1 million a season at Wasps, which would be comparable to Kurtley Beale's Wasps 2-year deal worth $1.5 million a season.
The deal will see the Highlanders and All Blacks first five depart New Zealand at the end of the 2018 season.
Sopoaga, who has played a critical backup role to starting first five Beauden Barrett, debuted for the All Blacks in 2015 helping guide the side to a 27-20 win over the Springboks.
Since then, the Wellington-raised player has added 15 tests and two matches to his All Blacks total.
The move will come as a blow to the All Blacks as they ramp up their preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, although Richie Mo’unga looks likely to add to his test experience in the coming season.
It is not yet known how long the deal with the English club is for, but New Zealand Rugby will be freshly concerned that another international in his prime is leaving the country well before time.
More to follow...
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Latest Comments
Realistically only three players definite Bok starters this year - the front row - which comfortably did the job. The rest of the team will not be anywhere in the shakeup for the championship or the incoming tours. Leinster’s young side did very well on this tour. It is obvious that the Leinster are on a different level of coaching and enthusiasm compared to the SA franchises. The No1 Leinster team is essentially Ireland - not one current SA franchise would be represented by more than three players in the Bok line-up. It’s both a strength and a weakness for Ireland. It’s an interesting dynamic.
Go to commentsGOGOGO for the 3peat Black Ferns Legends!😎
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