Lima Sopoaga is back in black and ready to make sure he doesn’t feature in just one Test this international season.
Arguably the find of 2015, Sopoaga was awarded with an All Black debut against the Springboks in Johannesburg and looked at home in the important first-five role. The performance included a near-perfect kick at goal from near the halfway line, no easy achievement in South African conditions with varying levels of altitude. To the surprise and despair of some, Sopoaga never featured for the All Blacks again and missed selection to England for the Rugby World Cup.
But last Sunday, the 25-year old was named by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen as the third first-five for the Welsh series that begins on June 11. “I’m pretty stoked and really grateful to be back here”, a smiling Sopoaga said, fresh off performing well in all areas of his game for the Highlanders in a successful Super Rugby season so far, leaving no doubt in the credibility of his selection.
Sopoaga acknowledges that there are some classy players in his same position in the form of seasoned All Blacks Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett, both of whom will likely get the nod from the selectors before he does. During the time that has passed since his one and only outing in the All Blacks jersey against the Springboks last year, Sopoaga says he has worked hard on defense and game management. The 2015 New Zealand Rugby ‘Super Rugby Player of the Year’ he is a star on the rise and his selection in 2016 confirms that.
Media commentators have called for Sopoaga to attack the line a little more, rather than be a distributor. Since adapting that style into his game Sopoaga has broken the line nine times and provided six try assists on top of the three that he has scored for himself. Off the tee, Sopoaga is sitting at a 75% success rate, one of the more successful kickers in the New Zealand Super Rugby conference.
Admitting to being ‘devastated’ after missing the trip to last years Rugby World Cup, Sopoaga says he has worked hard to ensure that he won’t play the backup for the more experienced and favorable Cruden and Barrett. “I just want to try and play as hard as I can, work really hard, and hopefully get a starting spot or two in the June test series” Sopoaga said, as his goal is ultimately the starting All Blacks role.
The word out of the All Blacks camp is that the selectors will choose the most experienced side for the opening test against Wales on June 11. After the match at Eden Park, and if the series were to be secured 2-0, experimentation will be made and perhaps, Lima Sopoaga’s shot at starting for the All Blacks in the third test may become a reality.
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