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The insane numbers behind All Blacks mass migration
By Peteso Cannon
Lima Sopoaga this week confirmed that he would leave Super Rugby franchise, the Highlanders, at the conclusion of the upcoming season.
Sopoaga has signed with Wasps for the northern 2018/2019 season, just one of a long list of All Blacks making the journey north.
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 2-year deal with Wasps worth $1.5 million a season.
Credit: All Blacks
New Zealand Rugby will undoubtedly be freshly concerned that another international in his prime is leaving the country.
Figures released this week by rugby statistician Russ Petty show the sheer scale of the All Blacks migration.
Since 2012, 11 capped All Blacks have emigrated, Sopoaga joins fellow compatriots Charlie Faumuina, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Jeremy Thrush, Steven Luatua, Charles Piutau, Tom Taylor, Francis Saili, Frank Halai, George Moala and Malakai Fekitoa.
Historically these moves were made towards the end of an All Blacks career, with one eye on retirement.
However, in recent seasons an alarming trend of recently capped All Blacks such as Malakai Fekitoa, Charles Piutau, Steven Luatua have all left in their prime (mid-twenties) for cash-rich Europe.
There have been a total of 52 All Black caps handed out since 2012, meaning over 20% of All Blacks capped in the last five years are now plying their trade overseas.
For any other nation these figures would be a death sentence, however, it has had little - if any - effect on the All Blacks.
Such is the conveyer belt of talent at Steve Hansen's disposal, the countries youth structure manages to produce players like Damian McKenzie and Rieko Ioane who have stepped in to seamlessly fill the void.
The migration north will still be a concerning trend for New Zealand rugby, as they watch players like Sopoaga leave their shores.
The Highlander has played a critical backup role to starting first five Beauden Barrett.
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Even with absences we still had the cattle to make the playoffs. As it was, we nearly stumbled our way into the top 8. Which shows just how easy it was to get there. And still we failed. As for Razor, there are many instances of him patching up the Crusaders roster. Numerous. Several players I'd never heard of. Also, using AB legend John Afoa was a classic.
But, some of the games we were losing were from schoolboy errors, or downright confusion. Either the players were really dumb (they weren’t) or they were poorly coached. Given the repetitive nature of errors, brain fades, poor decision making, & loose structures, this all lands with the coaching group.
With only six playoff spots now in SR, & Aussie franchises now consolidated to four, 2025 looks like a tight one. I'm picking we'll have to tough it out under Penney & hope for the best.
Go to commentsAgree we need a 10, 12, 13 refresh. ASAP. Well, next season now lol. Reiko should be put back on the wing. He'll be an absolute menace there. Imagine 11 Reiko 14 Clarke 15 Jordan as the backfield unit.
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