'I still think I have got something to give': Jimmy Gopperth

Rugby immortal Jimmy Gopperth insists he is in no hurry to hang up his boots, despite turning 42 at the end of June.

Gopperth’s contract at the French Pro D2 club, Provence, has not been renewed beyond the end of this season, as they have signed Caleb Mutz in his place, but the fly-half/centre is keen to continue playing if the right opportunity arises.

Logistically, returning to England would make most sense, as the former Newcastle, Wasps and Leicester player’s family home is still in Leamington Spa.

Given his age, Leicester, who are desperate for fly-halves, might be a stretch, but a club like nearby Worcester might be a good fit, as they are building a squad heavy on experience ahead of their return in the Championship.

The New Zealander last played in the Premiership for the Tigers just shy of his 40th birthday (39 years and 319 days), making him the third oldest player to play in English rugby’s top flight. However, he would overtake Paul Turner (39y 324d) and another former Tiger, Brad Thorn (39y 324d), as the granddaddy of them all if he sets foot in the Premiership again.

“What’s next? I don’t know what’s next,” said the North Islander. “I am really keen to keep playing, so I am not calling it quits just yet. I am looking for opportunities and seeing what’s available, whether that is in France, England, Japan. Wherever that may be, I’ll look. Obviously, I have people looking at opportunities.

“I suppose it is one of those things. I still believe I have got stuff to give, I still believe in my body and my skillset is able to perform. Last week was my 50th match for Provence, so it is not like I am not playing rugby, I am playing 80 minutes most weeks, so I still think I have got something to give.

“I will only take opportunities if they are right for me. It is a big sacrifice, my family is still living in England, so once I know what opportunities are out there, I will make a decision on whether I want to keep playing or call it quits.”

Et ce n’est pas fini pour toi 💪 Bonne chance pour la suite ! https://t.co/67J4wX2dxc

— Provence Rugby ⚫️🏉 (@ProvenceRugby) May 11, 2025

As for the here and the now, Gopperth is focused on securing Provence’s place in the end-of-season play-offs. Having recruited internationals such as George North, Tomas Francis and Teimana Harrison, Provence’s goal is to get into the Top 14.

They are currently fourth ahead of this weekend’s trip to struggling Oyonnax, and a win would secure them a home tie in the barrage and give Gopperth another opportunity to run out in front of the Stade Maurice David crowd.

Not knowing whether they would get another chance to pay their respects to Gopperth, the Provence fans gave him a rousing send-off after last Friday’s 46-14 win over Biarritz.

Gopperth is well accustomed to saying fond farewells, having played for a host of different clubs in a 23-year pro career that has seen him make a record 524 appearances, but the reaction of the crowd got to him on this occasion.

“For the last guaranteed home game of the season, Provence gift a framed shirt to everyone who is leaving, and they said to me that I was going up last. I turned around and they’d put up a montage of my games throughout my career, and it just got me,” he admitted.

“I am not an emotional person, but I welled up a bit and shed a few tears. Memories come flooding back when you see yourself playing in different scenarios, in different games and for different teams.

“I was very emotional on the pitch, and it was nice to share that with the whole crowd. Everyone stayed after the game, and it was a brilliant feeling.”

The surfing enthusiast’s career began in windy Wellington back in 2002 and he has been riding the crest of a wave ever since, his journey from Junior All Black to middle-aged veteran taking in stops at the Hurricanes and Blues in Super Rugby, Newcastle, Wasps and Leicester in the English Premiership and Leinster before his last, but maybe not his final, destination of Provence.

All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu may have stolen his thunder by playing in the Top 14 for Toulon at the age of 42 earlier this season, but Gopperth isn’t one to slip slowly into retirement, either.

“I am very privileged to still be able to do this at my age, and I am loving every single moment,” he said.

“In terms of goal and what I have left, I am not really a man who sets out goals. I want to be able to contribute to any team I am involved with, and at the moment, I want to try and help Provence get promoted, and I am solely focused on doing that.

“For now, I am really excited to finish the season well. We have got a big match against Oyonnax this week and hopefully we can secure a home semi-final.

“Whatever way I can do to help on and off the field, I will be putting my mind to it.”