Lima Sopoaga
Amongst the Super Rugby news this week is the announcement that Tanerau Latimer will return to Super Rugby and join up with the Blues.
Lima Sopoaga has also extended his stay at the Highlanders.
Meanwhile the Brumbies will lose Matt Toomua to Leicester Tigers when the European season of 2016 / 2017 starts after Super Rugby of 2016, but therefore he will still be available for the Brumbies in 2016. The Brumbies have also signed hooker Robbie Abel with the Brumbies’ Extended Playing Squad for 2016.
Latimer joins the Blues:
Tanerau Latimer
All Black loose forward Tanerau Latimer will return to Super Rugby in New Zealand with the Blues.
The 29-year-old has the support from his current team, Toshiba Brave Lupus to play Super Rugby back in New Zealand before returning to play in Japan.
Latimer, a 5 Test All Black, Maori All Black and Commonwealth Games gold medallist with the New Zealand Sevens, played 109 times for the Chiefs after making his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders in 2006.
He moved to Japan last year but jumped at the opportunity to return for the season to the Blues where he will be a stand-in for young loose forward Akira Ioane who is ear-marked for the All Black Sevens campaign.
“The club (Toshiba) has been great and very supportive, but I have missed the tough physical nature of Super Rugby on a week-in, week-out basis,” Latimer said.
Latimer said the lure of playing under new Blues coach Tana Umaga was a major factor in his decision, as well as the chance to take a leadership role with a young team.
“I never thought my Super Rugby days were over and that there was always a possibility that I would come back to play.
“I’ve always admired Tana and he was a big attraction for me. He has had a lot of success with Counties Manukau and he has been in and around the Chiefs environment during my time there. He has a lot of mana and is someone that I hold in high regard.
“I saw the Blues names when the team was announced and it is a very young group. Every group needs some old heads around. I see my biggest asset will be to offer some leadership and guidance and to set standards during training and games.”
Latimer’s wife has recently given birth to their 2nd child, which was also a factor in his decision.
“Bringing the family back for a bit of time in New Zealand is great. You don’t really appreciate what home means until you move away and with a new baby, to be able to spend a few months back home will do wonders.
“I am so grateful to my Toshiba club for their support and I think I will be an even better player for them for this experience when I return.
“It is a fantastic challenge with a new team, a new environment, a new city but one that me and my family are very much looking forward to.”
Umaga said the signing of Latimer was a major one for the club.
“We have a very young and exciting group. Tanerau always set high standards for himself and his teammates on and off the field, and his influence will be massive for us.
“I am sure he will return in great shape and will not take long to get back into the swing of things. He is a player that I admire and one who can play a significant role for us.”
He will return in the New Year after the Japan season is completed.
The Blues have also named Wellington winger Afa Fa’atau to the Wider Training Group, which rounds out the Blues squad.
Lima Sopoaga extends with Highlanders:
Lima Sopoaga
The Highlanders have announced that Lima Sopoaga has recommitted to the Super Rugby champions through until the end of the 2018 season.
24-year-old Sopoaga has played 49 games for the Highlanders and made his All Blacks Test debut this year against the Springboks in South Africa. Currently he holds the season record for points scored by a Highlander with 191 in 2015. He is also the 2nd-ranked Highlander for most career points on 453 (behind current assistant coach Tony Brown).
Considered an essential member of the Highlanders team, Sopoaga’s accurate boot and skilful running game are credited with helping the southern men to their 1st ever Super Rugby title in 2015.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to sign to the Highlanders until 2018,” Sopoaga said.
“I owe a lot to the coaching staff and the organisation for sticking by me and allowing me to develop not only as a player but as a person. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the great team culture, teammates, coaches and medical staff. I’m looking forward to my future with the club.”
Sopoaga joins teammate Aaron Smith, who also announced a lengthy contract extension earlier this year; their commitment to the team augurs well for the future prospects of Highlanders’ rugby. Both Sopoaga and Smith have been nominated for New Zealand’s Super Rugby Player of the Year at the 2015 Steinlager New Zealand Rugby Awards being held in December.
New Zealand Rugby General Manager of Rugby Neil Sorensen said: “This is just awesome news for Highlanders fans. Lima is a class act, and has shown in both the All Blacks and Highlanders jerseys that he has some fantastic skills. It’s exciting to think that we’re just scratching the surface of what this young man can deliver.”
Highlanders’ Head Coach Jamie Joseph added: “Lima has worked really hard in the past few seasons to develop his game, he has grown into a skilful 1st five and become an important member of our team. What’s more exciting is that I don’t think he has achieved his full potential yet and is only going to get better.”
Highlanders’ General Manager Roger Clark added; “Lima came to us as 19-year-old and had to overcome some pretty significant injuries in those early seasons, so it’s great to see how far he has come and the maturity he has shown in his game for a player who’s still very young. We’re excited to see what the future holds for him.”
Sopoaga and Highlanders teammate, Waisake Naholo, are currently in England with the Barbarians preparing to tackle Argentina on 21 November.
Matt Toomua signs for Leicester Tigers AFTER Super Rugby in 2016:
Matt Toomua
Leicester Tigers has announced that Australia international Matt Toomua will join the club following the 2016 Super Rugby season.
Currently with the Brumbies, Toomua was part of the Australia squad that reached the Rugby World Cup Final in 2015 and has 23 caps for the Wallabies.
The 25-year-old Toomua is recognised among the top playmakers in Super Rugby, playing at flyhalf or inside centre and has played 75 games in Super Rugby with the Brumbies in Canberra.
“I’m very excited to be joining the Tigers,” said Toomua.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to be a part of such a successful organisation with such a proud history.
“After meeting with Richard Cockerill and Aaron Mauger, I feel very fortunate to be able to further develop as a rugby player in such a great environment and hope to contribute to the club’s future success.
“I look forward to joining the club in 2016 and wish the team all the best for the current season.”
Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “It is no secret we have been looking to sign a top-class player to add to our backline resources and Matt is certainly in that category.
“He is still a young man but has already achieved such a lot in Super Rugby and played extensively in Test rugby for the Wallabies.
“We look forward to his arrival in the summer and to seeing him work with our backline and with Aaron and the coaching team. I’m sure his arrival will excite supporters too because he will be a top-class addition to the squad.”
Brumbies Chief Executive, Michael Jones, said he was disappointed 2016 would be Toomua’s last in Canberra.
“While it is disappointing to be losing one of Australia’s premier playmakers, we understand Matt has to look after his own interests and we fully support his decision,” Jones said.
“Matt has been honest and up front with the Brumbies before he made any decision and maintained an open dialogue throughout his discussions”.
“There’s no doubt he will be a loss to our side and the Wallabies, but that is the nature of professional sport and I think we have planned well for the future to ensure our roster will stay strong and competitive for years to come.
Brumbies Coach Stephen Larkham said: “Matt has been a great ambassador for the Brumbies on and off the field for many years and I know he wants to leave the club as a winner.
“I’m absolutely positive that we won’t lose anything from him this season. I am 100% sure he is as committed to the Brumbies as we all are, to bring the club a Super Rugby title this year.”
Toomua is currently on leave and will return to Brumbies pre-season training in early January ahead of the 2016 Super Rugby season.
Brumbies players who did not take part in the 2015 Rugby World Cup will officially return to pre-season training this Friday.
Robbie Abel joins Brumbies EPS:
Robbie Abel
Robbie Abel’s journey to Super Rugby has taken another step forward with the hooker signing on with the Brumbies’ Extended Playing Squad (EPS) for 2016.
Abel will link with the Brumbies following a number of standout performances for the Vikings throughout the recent National Rugby Championship (NRC).
Abel played in all 10 of the Vikings matches in 2015, including the Grand Final loss to Brisbane City.
He scored 2 tries and started 9 matches, he also played a huge role in helping the forward pack dominate much of the competition with set-piece plays.
The 26-year old is a former Brumbies Academy player and was a standout junior during his days with St Edmunds College in the ACT, forcing his way into the Australian Schoolboys side in 2008.
The Canberra Royals product took a 2-year hiatus from rugby in 2010 and 2011 to undertake his Mormon mission in Western Australia, before returning to join the Academy in 2012 and playing for Northland in the ITM Cup in 2013.
Abel comes from a talented family, his father and a number of his uncles also played for Northland in New Zealand’s domestic competition.
He played for the Perth Spirit in last year’s NRC after being picked up by the Force (EPS) for the 2014 and 2015 Super Rugby seasons but did not play any Super Rugby matches in his 2 years with the Western Force.
The Griffith Blacks junior is over the moon to be joining the Brumbies.
“I’ve supported the Brumbies since I was a kid and to now have the opportunity to link with this club at a senior level is a dream come true,” Abel said.
“I enjoyed every second of my time with the Vikings in the NRC. To be staying in Canberra to train with and learn from Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore and Josh Mann-Rea will really help me develop as a player.”
Abel will join the Brumbies for pre-season training when it begins on Friday.