From the moment they fumbled the opening kick-off, Wasps were on the back-foot against Harlequins at Twickenham, in the annual Christmas ‘Big Game 11’. As Wasps Rugby were defeated by Harlequins 20-13 in front of a capacity crowd for Big Game 11 at Twickenham, fans witnessed a disjointed performance that will worry head coach Dai […] READ MORE
Tag: Lima Sopoaga
Heineken Champions Cup: Five things to watch out for in 2018/19
The Heineken Champions Cup is back, with the best European clubs competing against each other. Almost all the biggest stars in the northern hemisphere will be involved and there are plenty of teams with a point to prove. We take a look at what to watch out for this weekend, and in the tournament to […] READ MORE
Lima Sopoaga brings All Blacks ‘sparkle’ but will he fit in at Wasps Rugby?
As one of the highest-profile arrivals to this season’s Gallagher Premiership, Lima Sopoaga will join up with a Wasps Rugby side looking to go one better than their semi-final loss to Saracens last year. Sopoaga will hope to fill the shirt left vacant by mercurial; if somewhat divisive, fly-half Danny Cipriani. That player has moved […] READ MORE
Elliot Dixon signs for Ricoh Black Rams and, re-signs with Highlanders
Two announcements this week from the Highlanders Elliot Dixon were received with concern first - as he signed with the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan Top league Rugby - before confirmation came that he would re-sign with the Otago franchise for another two seasons READ MORE
Highlanders Super Rugby record at home stays intact
The Highlanders Super Rugby record at home stays intact, after an Ben Smith double helped his team overcome a competitive Brumbies side, at Forsyth-Barr Stadium in Dunedin READ MORE
Never Any Doubt of Highlanders Character (excerpt)
In the opening act of the Finals Series, the Highlanders traveled to Australia in an attempt to beat the Brumbies. With recent history favouring the home side, the only guarantee was that loyal fans knew there was never any doubt of Highlanders character. It was a hard task, made tougher by the conditions, but the […] READ MORE
James Lash: Heartland Rugby everything he enjoys about the Game
You get a sense from talking with James Lash that Heartland Rugby is everything that he enjoys about the game of rugby union and while some, including this reporter, would admire him being offered an opportunity to wear All Black, the player himself is more than happy playing for Buller. Buller, on the West Coast […] READ MORE
Wasps Upgrade: Sopoaga In, Cipriani Out?
Wasps flexed their financial muscles this week by confirming the signing of All Black fly-half Lima Sopoaga for next season. The acquisition of the current Highlander number 10 accompanies the signing of loose forward Brad Shields from the Hurricanes as Wasps look to bolster an already star studded squad. The ‘subplot’ to signing Sopoaga is […] READ MORE
Latest Signing Requires Hansen to re-think All Blacks RWC2019 Strategy
Every team who has qualified for the World Rugby tournament in Japan, will have an RWC2019 strategy. It is a focus point, even while 2018 fixtures are in sight. But with this latest offshore signing, All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen must re-think that Rugby World Cup (RWC) strategy. Lima Sopoaga, for whatever personal reasons, […] READ MORE
Luke Whitelock to Captain New Zealand in Midweek Tour Match
In news that has started many conversations in New Zealand, the naming of Luke Whitelock to Captain New Zealand in their midweek tour match against a French XV Selection has several key points. Firstly, the current leader of the Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup team seems more than qualified. He has successfully led New Zealand (NZ) previously […] READ MORE