OFFICIAL: Wasps sign Lima Sopoaga

The All Blacks have confirmed that Highlanders flyhalf Lima Sopoaga has signed a three-year deal with Premiership side Wasps. 

Sopoaga, who has played 16 Tests for the All Blacks scoring 55 points, confirmed that he would leave New Zealand, at the end of the 2018 season, in a farewell message on Instagram.

The post read: 

"It is with a heavy heart that I announce that my family and I will be leaving NZ at the end of the 2018 season. I have loved every minute of being a professional footballer here in NZ, I’ve made lifelong friends and memories I will cherish forever. I’d like to thank the Highlanders, All Blacks, Southland and Wellington for the awesome experience you have provided me with over the years.”

Sopoaga first made his mark for Wellington as a teenager before moving south in 2014 and starring for Southland at domestic level and the Highlanders in Super Rugby. He was a key part of the Highlanders inaugural Super Rugby title win in 2015 and impressed on All Blacks debut against South Africa later that same year. 

His first Test try

Sopoaga will join fellow countryman Brad Shields at Wasps, as well as former Hurricanes first-five Jimmy Gopperth.