Two more AB 10s off the production line heading north

...the quality of Northern Hemisphere rugby appears to be improving all the time...with the latest news of

Lima Sopoaga shocking Highlander supporters announcing he's is off to join Wasps after the 2018 season.... signing a two year deal 

...and Stephen McDonald aka Beaver is also off to Ulster replacing Christian Lealifano

With BBarret and Richie Mo'unga ahead of him Sopoaga bites the bullet preferring to play rather than sit on the AB bench... not sure how he'll fit in at the Wasps as they already have two capable 10s in Cipriani and Gopperth

Sopoaga and Donald joining quite an extensive list of Kiwi 10s already rocking it in Europe

Marty Banks at Benetto Treviso

Jimmy Gopperth at Wasps

Aaron Cruden at Montpellier

Tyler Bleyendaal at Munster

Dan Carter at Racing Metro

Colin Slade at Pau

Luke McAlister at Toulon

James Marshall at London Irish

James Wilson at Bath

Simon Hickey at Bordeaux

Ben Botica at Oyonnax

Joey Carbery at Munster

Hayden Parker at the Sunwolves

Gareth Anscombe at Cardiff Blues

Hadleigh Parkes at the Scarlets 

I think the nail in the coffin for Sopoaga would have been the decision to play Damian McKenzie at 1st 5 this season.

That's a lot of awesome 1st 5 talent playing overseas and yet the ABs are still well served with Barret, Mo'unga and McKenzie. Big blow for the Highlanders though.

I see Brad Shields is also heading to Wasps.

...I was hoping that DMac continued at fullback to be honest although there is plenty of competition there also, ...was a disaster when the Chiefs played him at 10 against the B an I Lions...although i'm sure he learnt plenty ftom that experience

Would'nt mind seeing Nanai Williams given a run at 10 for the Chiefs this year myself... he was outstanding at standoff in the November International against Scotland scoring 18 points..

Chiefs also have an exciting new prospect in Tiaan Falcon - part of the world champion U20s team who needs to be broken into SR...

 Then there's DMacs brother Marty McKenzie also an option at 10 for the Chiefs- so plenty of options and depth there, 

 Whoever they decide on will have to hit the ground running because the Chiefs face the Crusties first up...

Not sure that Cips has put pen to paper yet and Goperth is nearing that stage wherw the workload will need ti be shared.

I believe Goperth is also taking up coaching aswell.

Awesome signings for Wasps and also maybe sheds some light on Haskels future with the club.

Sopoaga is a great loss for the Highlanders - the rest are really just earning their retirement package in Europe.  

NZ is being hit by the same problems SA face and we have the nasty habit of calling up BK club players to the Springbok team with the Club players failing badly all the time.    NZ should be happy thy have not reached that level yet.      

...notso clevermike... yr confusing our two countries and our respective work ethics....Kiwis are fiercely competitive and go to Europe to compete...it's the Saffa that go there just for the pay check...

...many of the NZ players are also much younger than you may think and will still have a future in NZ rugby should they so wish to return once their two or three yr contracts are up...

whereas what is there for SA rugby players to return to ?...yr country is a basket case and last i heard the CC competition had also died...

Lima def a big loss. Seeing they have developed him in that role for a few seasons now. I well say though. He is probably a bigger loss too the Landers then the Abs. Hanson has a world class Ten in Barrett. And now has to develop the next in line. Which well obviousley be Damian and Richie Mo'unga now. But the Landers really in trouble in the ten stakes in 2019. Probably have to recruit else where. Jordie is another one they could blood in at ten too. His kicking game is sublime. 

I admire Donald, he was thrown on the scrap heap, fans derided him and yet when called on he delivered in the RWC. He still gets the most out of his body and is a decent players. Good luck to him.

Stephen Donald? Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahaaa!!!

He's a Morne Steyn type. A player without substance.

I guess one can only use what God gives you ... or hasn't given you.

Perhaps his talent lies elsewhere. Maybe as an administrator with a collar and tie. Let's face it ... rugby wasn't a strength of his.

Moolaa 

That is exactly what Morne Steyn was capable of  and Donald was indeed a very average flyhalf . 

I never really rated Donald as a f lyhalf - so I must agree with CC here.

Donald was turned down - he could not pass the medical tests,