3G – Goats Gone Grazing is to help us keep up with what’s happening for former Goats now plying their trade overseas and in the news.
It is based off stored google searches so sometimes the stories don’t feature much content about the player we’re interested in, but we usually post them anyway! If you’ve noticed a player that is hitting the headlines overseas that we don’t have included, then please let us know pete@oburugby.com
Jimmy Gopperth
Jimmy played for OBU until 2008 when he headed over to the UK to play for the Newcastle Falcons. During that time he played for The Hurricanes, the Blues, NZ Secondary Schools, NZ Universities, and was a World Cup Under 21 winner.
Jimmy was raised in Taranaki and came through the NPOB school.
Lima Sopoaga
Lima came to OBU in 2010 from Wellington College with a couple of his mates Titapu Pairama-Lewington and Hanipale Galo covering Jerseys 10 out to 13. He was part of the NZ team that retained the Junior world title in 2011. He played a season for Wellington before switching to Dunedin and playing for the Highlanders for several years, and of course the All Blacks.
Lima has started a podcast which you can find your favourite format and take a listen here…
The Six Nations players Wasps have back and injury updates ahead of Leicester Tigers clash
Ex-All Blacks get new coach at English club Wasps
Eric Fry
Eric played for OBU in 2012. He had the nickname ‘The Big Easy’. A good bloke to have around on or off the paddock, he made a great contribution to the club during that time.
He still plays for the USA Eagles, debuting in 2011 and going on to play in the world cup. He must have liked what he saw in 2011 to come to OBU the following year from the Las Vegas Blackjacks. He has had stints in the UK for London Scottish and Newcastle Falcons before a brief stint back in the US with the Sacramento Express. He is now playing in France for RC Vannes. It sounds like he is on course to play another world cup in a month or so.
https://www.florugby.com/articles/6200543-usa-summer-series-who-didnt-get-picked-by-eagles-and-why
TJ Ioane
TJ was part of the team from 2008-2010, including when we last won the Hardham Cup. He came through Wellington College and now plays for London Irish and Samoa.
He was also in the Wellington Academy for 3 years, played for the Highlanders and Otago and was in NZ the Secondary Schools team in 2007.
A bit of editing needed this week as media have confused Josh Ioane from the Highlanders and TJ 😊
Conrad Smith
Conrad needs no introduction does he really?
(This is really old but I only just found it and it’s still interesting)!
Bryn Evans
Brynn had a short stint with OBU in 2011
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/saracens-vs-sale-sharks-live-gallagher-premiership/
https://rugby365.com/tournaments/premiership/news-premiership/saracens-too-good-for-sale
Tom Lawday
Tom came out to OBU on a gap year from England and played in the 2013 & 14 seasons.
https://www.quins.co.uk/news/joe-gray-in-line-for-quins-return-against-london-irish/
Danny Tusitala
Danny played a season for OBU in 2015. He then went back to Auckland and has played for the NPC team. He is now playing in the American Major League Rugby.
http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2020/02/16/old-glory-shock-seawolves-thrilling-dc-opener/