Jimmy Gopperth insists he isn’t ready to ease up yet at 39 after making surprise switch to Leicester

‘I’m going to keep going until the wheels fall off!’ Jimmy Gopperth insists he isn’t ready to ease up yet at 39 after making surprise switch to Leicester from Midlands rivals Wasps

  • Jimmy Gopperth has no plans on slowing down as he approaches 40 next year
  • The veteran back has moved to Leicester from rivals Wasps this summer
  • Gopperth admits his surprise move ‘disappointed a lot of people at Wasps’ 

Jimmy Gopperth’s new home at Leicester couldn’t be much further from the coast, but the veteran back has revealed surfing – plus golf – is the key to his outstanding longevity.

And as he prepares to continue playing into his fourth decade, Gopperth declared: ‘Age is just a number. I’m going to keep going until the wheels fall off!’ The New Zealand-born fly-half or centre, 39, has had an outstanding career, first in his homeland and then in Britain with impressive stints at Newcastle, Leinster and Wasps.

This summer, he crossed the midlands divide by swapping Wasps for Premiership champions Leicester and has no plans on slowing down with the Tigers.

Jimmy Gopperth made a surprise switch to Leicester Tigers from Wasps this summer

Jimmy Gopperth made a surprise switch to Leicester Tigers from Wasps this summer

‘I obviously look after myself and I have a good balance between rugby, life and loads of golf which keeps my mind at bay,’ Gopperth said ahead of Leicester’s clash with Newcastle on Saturday.

‘My body is still feeling really, really good. Surfing is a big one. Because I surfed all the time when I was young, it gave me balance, real core strength, and also shoulder stability ‘Obviously, it’s a little harder in the midlands to find some ocean! It’s about two hours 45 to the south of Wales to get some waves. Having that just trains my muscles all around.

‘I’ve also invested in a hot tub at home. I love the heat now – I stay away from cold pools now. It’s not good for my old joints! Anything to do with heat I’m in there all the time.’ Gopperth will turn 40 next June. The Devon village of Croyde, the south Wales coast or a manmade surfing spot in Bristol are the go-to destinations for him to get his much-needed cold water fix.

As he approaches 500 career games, Gopperth’s huge experience has added to the Leicester ranks after they sealed last season’s Premiership title under the guidance of head coach Steve Borthwick.

The 39-year-old back insists he is still in excellent fitness despite his advancing years

The 39-year-old back insists he is still in excellent fitness despite his advancing years

Leicester’s signing of Gopperth from Wasps caught people by surprise, but it is likely to be a shrewd move from Borthwick given he will be available for the Tigers all year round.

‘There was a lot of very disappointed people. But to be fair a lot wished me well which I really appreciated,’ Gopperth said of his departure from Wasps.

‘When a player leaves a club after seven years it’s always going to be a sad time. I’ve got relationships with a lot of fans at Wasps.

‘In the last 10 years you’ve seen a lot of guys go to rival clubs, that’s just the way the professional world is. Everyone respects it’s part of the profession we’re in these days.’ Gopperth and Leicester were beaten at Exeter on the opening weekend of the season.

Gopperth believes switching from rivals Wasps to Leicester is a part of professional rugby

Gopperth believes switching from rivals Wasps to Leicester is a part of professional rugby

With Gopperth, Richard Wigglesworth, Chris Ashton and Dan Cole all in his Tigers squad, one thing Borthwick doesn’t lack is experience.

The quartet boast 148 years between them and all four are still going strong.

Scrum-half Wigglesworth, also 39, started last season’s Premiership final win over Saracens. Wing Ashton, 35, is the Premiership’s top try scorer. Cole, 35, excelled at Exeter last weekend.

‘You’ve got to have experience in your team,’ Gopperth said.

‘When I was a young kid and I made my debut in Wellington, I sat on the bench and didn’t start a game for 2003 and 2004. I got a little time here and there, but I learned off all the older guys.

‘They didn’t even have to come up and talk to me. I’d just be watching how they play. If you take away all that experience in your team, who have the young guys got to learn off?’

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