The $1 contract behind former All Black's NPC return after 3251 days

Lima Sopoaga is back in New Zealand, now repping the provincial colours of Waikato after more than 3000 days abroad, having played in three different leagues and as he says, gaining a few grey hairs.

It was a decision rooted in family that brought the 16-cap All Black back to where his journey started, but it wasn’t long before rugby found him again.

A fortuitous reunion with fellow Wellingtonian and now Waikato head coach Ross Filipo brought forward an offer, and Sopoaga, 34, recognised what he saw as a responsibility to give back to the game.

Having started his career in Wellington, the 2015 Super Rugby champion credits players like Ma’a Nonu, Neemia Tialata, and Rodney So’oialo as big influences in the early years of his professional career.

Now, Sopoaga wants to help the next generation hit new heights by imparting the lessons his journey has taught him.

“It’s good to be back, although a little bit greyer,” he told D’Arcy Waldergrave on Newstalk ZB.

“I’ve just been in Hamilton enjoying time with my kids and my family, and doing a bit of training on the side.

“I actually just caught Floss (Ross Filipo) in a pub one day after playing a bit of golf with my father-in-law, and he just asked me what I was up to. I said, ‘Ah, I’m not too sure. I’ll just go where the wind blows.’

“He said, ‘Well, why don’t you come down to Waikato and give us a hand? We run pretty light, don’t have a deep squad and have got a few injuries.’

“He rang me a couple of days later, told me to come down to Waikato Stadium, and I signed a one-dollar contract and here we are.”

It has all the makings of a classic New Zealand rugby story, with a spontaneous beer resulting in an unorthodox professional contract.

Sopoaga explained the thinking behind his not-so-mighty new wage, with his upbeat tone expressing excitement for both the rugby and family time ahead.

“No, (it’s not about money), it is exactly a one-dollar contract, and then you just get paid by the week. So, if you get called in, you get paid some money, and if you don’t, I just do the school run, hang out with my wife and go coach a little bit of kids’ football. That’s about it.”

 

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Waikato have named Sopoaga for a debut off the bench in their season-opener against Auckland on Thursday night, with fellow former All Black Aaron Cruden in the starting 10 jersey. Between the two veterans and injured rising Maori All Blacks star Taha Kemara, the ‘Mooloo’ have plenty of talent in their playmaking stocks.

“We’re not just here to make up numbers, we’re here to compete and do our best for the team, and win a trophy for Waikato.

“And reconnecting with Cruds (Cruden) is amazing, we’re both at similar stages in our lives, both a little bit older and have got kids, have lived around the world and have a bit of a broader perspective on life and footy. So it’s been awesome to reconnect with him, especially since he’s always been a big help in my career and someone I’ve always looked up to.”