Lima Sopoaga

Lima Zachariah Sopoaga, born on February 3, 1991, in Wellington, New Zealand, emerged as a highly skilled rugby fly-half from a working-class family in Alicetown, Lower Hutt. His early talent was evident during his high school years, initially at Hutt Valley High School, before transitioning to Wellington College, where he played a pivotal role in securing two Wellington schools titles. In 2008 and 2009, he contributed to successful seasons for Wellington College, culminating in a masterclass performance in the 2009 final and selection for the New Zealand Schools’ team, where he played alongside future All Blacks. His foundational years also included being part of the New Zealand Under 20s squad that won the IRB Junior World Championship in Italy in 2011, further cementing his potential on the international stage.

Sopoaga’s professional career began with the Wellington Lions in 2010, where he made his debut at 19 and quickly established himself as the starting number 10, scoring 370 points in 37 games. In 2014, he moved to Southland, playing 17 games and scoring 187 points. His most significant impact in New Zealand rugby came with the Highlanders, where he accumulated 866 points in 92 games. He was a key figure in their rise to prominence, culminating in their Super Rugby Championship title in 2015, a season where he was also named New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year. He debuted for the All Blacks in 2015 against South Africa at Ellis Park, delivering a strong performance in a memorable victory. While opportunities for the All Blacks were limited due to the presence of other world-class fly-halves like Daniel Carter and Beauden Barrett, he consistently made significant impacts off the bench and in his starting appearances, contributing to Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship retentions in 2017.

Seeking new challenges, Sopoaga ventured overseas in 2018, playing for Wasps in England for 53 games, scoring 287 points. Although this period largely coincided with underperformance and eventual financial difficulties for the club, Sopoaga continued to develop his game. In 2021, he joined Lyon in France, describing French rugby as “slower but more physical,” and highlighting the passionate crowds. Most recently, in late 2023, Sopoaga qualified on ancestry grounds to represent Samoa at the Rugby World Cup, marking another significant milestone in his international career. He is currently signed with Waikato for the 2025 season after playing for Shimizu Blue Sharks. Sopoaga is married with three children, and his brothers Tupou and Zeke have also played first-class rugby.