11:06am Monday 4th May 2009
JIMMY Gopperth says talks to secure an early release from his North Harbour contract are still ongoing after signing a three-year deal with English club Newcastle Falcons.
The Falcons are hoping to have their new recruit in Newcastle in time for pre-season in July.
But the 25-year-old fly-half is contracted to his province until the end of the Air New Zealand Cup competition which runs until November.
And Gopperth admits he has no idea yet which way the decision will go.
"We're just working through that at the moment. I'm sure I'll know in the next few days or few weeks," he said.
"Whatever way it works I'll put 100 per cent in to wherever I go. If I stay and play for North Harbour then my heart will be with North Harbour and playing in the Air New Zealand Cup.
"If I go early, I'll be looking forward to that."
Before signing on the dotted line Gopperth spoke to his former Wellington and Hurricanes team-mate Tane Tuipulotu and ex-All Black prop Carl Hayman to get a feel for the club and the area and also chatted to Falcons' coach Steve Bates.
He added: "I've been finding out little things about (the club) but not too much. I suppose that's the beauty of it. I can go over totally new and settle into their patterns and structures. It's a whole new life for me and I'm really looking forward to it."
Gopperth feels the weather, though, will take some getting used to.
"Tane tells me youve got to wear a five millimetre wetsuit when youre surfing so I'm not looking forward to that too much," he joked. "I hear it snows as well so that will be interesting."
Despite the differences between rugby in New Zealand and the northern hemisphere, Gopperth is confident he will be able to adapt quickly to his new surroundings.
He said: "They get a reputation up there (in the northern hemisphere) for ten-man rugby.
"But, especially Newcastle, they've got a team that like to throw the ball around and like to have a go so I'm sure I'm going to fit in there very nicely and very easily.
"I'll go up there and try and be myself and hopefully I can add something different for the ten position and also soak in how they play the game and learn as much as I can.
"It's going to be a good challenge and one I'm really looking forward to."
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