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New Blue: Here’s what you can expect from Jimmy Gopperth, Leinster fans

The Kiwi will compete with Ian Madigan for a starting place next season.

Updated 17:35

LEINSTER HAVE THIS afternoon confirmed the signing of Newcastle Falcons number 10, Jimmy Gopperth on a two-year deal.

The Kiwi will fill the vacancy of a senior out-half at Leinster left by Jonathan Sexton.

With Ian Madigan’s call-up to Ireland’s senior squad in place of Ronan O’Gara yesterday he can expect a lot more of his time to be take up by international camps next season.

Gopperth will bring an experienced option in what could be Joe Schmidt’s final season in Dublin. The former Auckland Blue, who will be 30 by the start of next season, will provide a varied skill-set but his primary asset to the eastern province will be his accuracy from placed balls.

“We believe that he will be an excellent foil for Ian Madigan,” said head coach Joe Schmidt, “bringing added depth and experience to the out-half position when he joins this summer.

“Even though Newcastle have struggled in recent years, he has been a hugely consistent performer during his time in England where he won back-to-back Premiership Golden Boot awards.”

Here’s a taste of what the RDS can expect to see later this year.

YouTube credit: NewcastleFalconsTV

And here he is getting knocked out by a scrum-half…

YouTube credit: 187prettyboy

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24 Comments
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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:21 PM

    We need a 10 who wont be involved with Ireland so it’s a good signing, he won’t shunt Madigan and covers if Madigan is away

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    Mute Shane O Leary
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:32 PM

    Great signing. He’s a perfect foil for Madigan in many ways. Playing style is more about control than Madigan’s gunslinging, he’s a great kicker from hand and tee plus he’ll be the steady hand we need at 10 when Madser is called up to the Irish squad next year.

    Hopefully we’ve a big Aussie outside back signing on the way too…

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    Mute Mark Neville
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    Mar 4th 2013, 10:59 PM

    Who’s that?

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    Mute Seán O' Sullivan
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:25 PM

    Madigan just can’t catch a break

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    Mute macca
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:28 PM

    Jimmy Cowen gave him some shot in that video

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    Mute Brian O' Connor
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    Mar 4th 2013, 7:04 PM

    Should we not wait and see how he performs?

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Mar 4th 2013, 8:53 PM

    Where’s the fun in that….? ;-)

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    Mute David Fitzmaurice
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    Mar 4th 2013, 2:16 PM

    He is average at best. Seen him play quite a bit when he played with the Hurricanes. Doesn’t have the bottle for top level rugby.

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    Mute The Phantom
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    Sep 7th 2013, 3:47 PM

    What a load of utter crap. Jimmy was actually just starting to play his best rugby before he left. He is like the other 10 that left by the name of Nick a sorry loss to our fair shores. You sir have no class

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    Mute Peter O'Halloran
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    Mar 4th 2013, 5:31 PM

    Thy need to spend money to shore up 4 & 5 – not another 10……

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Mar 4th 2013, 6:50 PM

    Well they signed McCarthy from Connacht and Ben Marshall looks like a promising young prospect in their academy.

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    Mute Peter O'Halloran
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    Mar 4th 2013, 7:00 PM

    Fair point – McCarthy decent operator & haven’t seen the other guy in action, but its when we have a Hines, Elsom or Thorn that things start to happen …. great if we can grow our own of that capability.

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:36 PM

    Hmm. I wouldn’t b as positive about this guy… Id put him in a similar bracket as steenson but he’s Irish. I guess the financial reasons had a hand in this signing…

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Mar 4th 2013, 4:00 PM

    lol, why all the red thumbs??? Did i offend the poor Leinster new guy?? Hope Im wrong but cant see this guy being any more than an average Rabo player……

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Mar 4th 2013, 5:53 PM

    He’s perfect, as he won’t stunt Madigan but can step in when needed.
    I for one don’t want Leinster signing players who get in the way of home grown players but players who can do a squad job when the irfu get in the way

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    Mute Fionnuala O'Hora
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    Mar 4th 2013, 8:42 PM

    Steenson is Irish. Look him up.

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Mar 4th 2013, 8:49 PM

    ERM….I know, I said that….

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Mar 4th 2013, 8:50 PM

    No but he’s taking a NIQ place. My point is Steenson wouldn’t have and at 28, is unlikely to feature in green….

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Mar 4th 2013, 9:20 PM

    Np ;-)

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    Mute Brian O' Connor
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    Mar 6th 2013, 6:32 PM

    Cain I have the greatest admiration for Munster Rugby and always hope they do well unless they are playing Leinster.

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    Mute Brian O' Connor
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    Mar 6th 2013, 6:35 PM

    Cian sorry the auto correct got the better of me.

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    Mute Brian O' Connor
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    Mar 4th 2013, 8:54 PM

    Every province needs stand-in players when Ireland duties call. Leinster have been fortunate in the likes of Contepomi and Nacewa and hopefully this new recruit will make his own impact. The Rabo is not a second rate completion as Munster is finding out. Hopefully they will make the top four? It’s no longer a given.

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    Mute Brian O' Connor
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    Mar 4th 2013, 8:55 PM

    Should read competition

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Mar 5th 2013, 7:41 AM

    I don’t think we will 2 b honest…. All our eggs are in the Heineken Cup basket I think….

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