Heading to Dublin: Jimmy Gopperth
Leinster have announced the signing of Kiwi fly-half Jimmy Gopperth from Newcastle Falcons on a two-year deal.
The 29-year-old, who has picked up back-to-back Aviva Premiership Golden Boot awards during his four-year stint on Tyneside, will move to the PRO12 outfit at the end of the current season.
The New Zealander boasts vast Super Rugby experience with 363 points in 53 outings for the Blues and Hurricanes, as well as starring for the Junior All Blacks, in winning the Pacific Nations Cup.
The 29-year-old joined the Newcastle Falcons three seasons ago and to date has scored 719 points in 70 appearances.
"We are delighted that Jimmy has put pen to paper on a deal and we believe that he will be an excellent foil for Ian Madigan, bringing added depth and experience to the out-half position when he joins this summer," said Leinster Head Coach Joe Schmidt.
"Even though Newcastle have struggled in recent years, he has been a hugely consistent performer during his time in England where he won back-to-back Premiership Golden Boot awards."
The Kiwi pivot made his one hundredth appearance for the Falcons in the British and Irish Cup last month.
"Last year I could have left the Falcons after relegation, but in my heart I felt that I had to stay and help the club immediately return back to the Premiership," said Gopperth.
"When the opportunity arose to move to the Heineken Cup champions, I felt it was the right time in my career to embark on a new challenge."
"It has been an exciting season under Dean so far, and there is still a job to be done as we aim to bounce back to the Premiership.
"That is my focus at the moment, and all my energy is going into helping the Falcons achieve this goal."
Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: "Jimmy has been a fantastic servant for the club, and I would like to wish him all the very best for the future.
"In the meantime Jimmy is fully focussed on helping Newcastle achieve its goal of gaining promotion back to the Premiership.
"By moving to Leinster Jimmy will get the opportunity to play Heineken Cup rugby next season. Leinster is a club with rich history and tradition, and I am pleased for Jimmy that he will get the chance to test himself at the very highest level."
Comments
RDavison says...
You've signed a cracking player here, great play maker and great kicker, I think Jimmy staying with us at the Falcons stopped the usual mass exodus of players from a relegated team, which has helped us to achieve our current position. Good Luck and Thanks Jimmy you deserve to be playing top level rugby.
Posted 21:11 07th March 2013
Kid_Diablo says...
I agree with leinster_goy on this, gopperth seems a pretty solid player from what little i know about him. I see it as madigan is first choice with proven backup on the bench so i am very excited about next season. I think with a season as first choice madigan could potentially surpass sexton with his running/passing though i don't really see him matching sextons kicking from hand.
Also with sexton leaving, i would love to see joe schmidt give all amlin cup games ( however far we get ) to madigan as a build up to high pressure games next season( i think sexton would understand and i think madigan could do the job ).
Posted 01:45 05th March 2013
Dub_Len_Irl says...
Delighted on a few counts,
1) He seems like a real good player, perhaps underrated a bit.
2) It looks like Ian Madigan will get a shot to be number one , as he¿s not a ¿big¿ name star
3) Having a foreigner player in a key position works very well I think.
Felipe Contopomi won us so many matches when the Internationals where missing, it was great to have him on board, and while we have done very well with so many of our squad missing this year in the pro 12, 15-17 (plus those injured ) having a kicker of note is a huge benefit.
You have to assume Madigan and McFadden will both be making the squad¿s going forward.
Posted 00:57 05th March 2013
rewahard_08 says...
Gopperth is a good steady player, they would have bought him in to nurture the growth of Madigan, kind of like what Hodgson is doing with Farrell at Saracens.
Posted 21:59 04th March 2013
kennyisgay says...
I guess poor madigan is always destined to be a 2nd choice
Posted 21:26 04th March 2013
papachinzo says...
I think he's a good player and signing for Leinster, I think Leinster's style of play will suit him better than Newcastle's. I couldn't believe it when I heard he sign for the Falcons, I thought that would have been the end for him, but two golden boots... not bad !!
Posted 19:05 04th March 2013
THESKUTCH says...
He's better than O'Gara....
Posted 18:00 04th March 2013
leinster_goy says...
a good signing, in the circumstances. judging by Gopperth's stats, he's a bona fide kicking machine. and i suspect he won't have any problem riding pine a lot of the time, because obviously Madders has to be our first choice 10 from next season onwards. shrewd bit of business, overall. welcome to dubbers, Jimmy
Posted 17:43 04th March 2013
melkdave says...
Surprised didnt Leinster say they wouldnt be looking outside Ireland for a replacement for J.Sexton?? Yet they have,,and them already having I.Maddigan ,McFaden and Reid.One thing i do know J.Gopperth is a good player and will add to the Leinster squad .So its between Maddigan and Gopperth,as to whos going to be starting FH next season.
Posted 17:37 04th March 2013
wexman says...
Leinster could have done better I think........ Maybe not signing a superstar will be the making of Madigan?
Posted 17:21 04th March 2013
wexman says...
Leinster could have done better I think........ Maybe not signing a superstar will be the making of Madigan?
Posted 17:21 04th March 2013