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out-half

'I enjoy the physical part of the game' - Leinster out-half Jimmy Gopperth

The New Zealander has settled in at Leinster with ease and is ready to take down French champions Castres.

WERE THERE NERVES before the Ospreys game? Not at all, Jimmy Gopperth slept soundly in Leinster’s hotel, away from the kids and with total confidence in his ability.

The Kiwi impressed in early season Pro12 starts against the Scarlets and the Ospreys, before a quieter outing against Glasgow was followed up by Ian Madigan’s scintillating seasonal bow at 10 against the Cardiff Blues. With the Irish international then picked to start against Munster, it appeared that Gopperth was heading for the back-up role that most had predicted in pre-season.

However, that scenario remains a hypothetical one as Madigan failed to impose himself during the inter-provincial encounter at Thomond Park and Gopperth was called on last weekend at the Ospreys. While it is, of course, disappointing to see homegrown talent sitting on the bench, the New Zealander’s showing in Wales will have surprised his doubters.

The understated Gopperth, who was 100% from the tee, was pleased with his effort but chose to deflect the attention onto his teammates.

“It’s pretty good to get my first Heineken Cup cap, and it was one of those games where it could have gone either way but I thought, especially, our defence was pretty sharp.

It was just a good game to be involved with. The intensity was up and the boys really wanted a win. I think that desire came through in the end.”

That Gopperth immediately highlights the good work of others is typical of a man who appears to have become part of the Leinster family with remarkable ease. There is a calmness to the 30-year-old but he also appears genuinely excited at the opportunity of being involved with a world-class club side.

Gopperth says the bedding-in process has been made straightforward by the friendliness of the rest of the squad, and he has no regrets over joining Leinster.

“I suppose I’m really enjoying myself here. The boys have been pretty accommodating and pretty easy to get along with. So, I’ve sort of fitted in pretty well.”

The composed, intelligent and soothing presence Gopperth brought to the 19-9 win over the Ospreys means it is hard to see Matt O’Connor making a change at out-half for tomorrow’s visit of Top 14 champions Castres.

One of Gopperth’s finest moments of the game was his superb covering tackle on Ospreys speedster Jeff Hassler, smashing the Canadian international into touch at a crucial time. The Leinster out-half’s physicality has improved with every game, and why wouldn’t it? Up close, the former Newcastle man has the wide back and vascular arms of a bodybuilder.

imageThe Kiwi out-half gets ready to smash Jeff Hassler last Saturday.

Gopperth says he is expecting to have to use his powerful physique to full effect against the French side tomorrow afternoon.

“Yeah, Castres are big boys. They love to maul and they’re very physical around the pitch and in the backs. Being an out-half it’s part of the game now; if you’re not physical then you’re going to get shown up pretty quickly.

“So we make sure we work on our defence and it’s part of the game I really enjoy, the physical part of it. As I say, Castres are a very physical team and they’re a very quick-playing team, play a lot of offloads. So we’ve just got to make sure we’re on our game and make our first-up tackles.”

While last weekend was Gopperth’s first Heineken Cup game, he did play against several French sides in the Amlin Challenge Cup during his time at Newcastle. The out-half faced has previously come up against Toulon, Lyon, Montpellier, Albi and Montauban but never Castres.

Gopperth acknowledges the attributes that French clubs bring to European rugby, but also points out the need for Leinster to focus on themselves.

We were lucky enough to play against a couple of French sides [at Newcastle], so we know what they’re about. Playing the French sides, they’re pretty unpredictable. They like to play good running rugby and they’re great offloading teams, especially Castres.

“So they’re going to come here and look to play. We’ve got to make sure our own back door is all tied up, look after the ball and play what we want to play. If we just get our defence straight, we should be on the right track.”

If Gopperth does indeed retain the number 10 shirt for tomorrow’s French test, he will bring more of his cool, unfussy attitude to bear on the game and Madigan may be forced to watch on as the Kiwi’s stick rises further.

His continuing good form may dash his young rival’s international chances but if Gopperth can continue his form from last weekend and help Leinster to another Heineken Cup win, head coach O’Connor won’t be too concerned.

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