New Zealand fly-half Lima Sopoaga to join Wasps

Image: Lima Sopoaga will join Wasps later this year

All Blacks fly-half Lima Sopoaga has signed a three-year deal with Aviva Premiership side Wasps, New Zealand Rugby have confirmed.

Sopoaga will join Wasps at the end of the year in a deal which effectively rules the 26-year-old out of the 2019 World Cup.

He used his Instagram page to say it was "one of the hardest decisions he has ever had to make".

"It is with a heavy heart that I announce that my family and I will be leaving NZ at the end of the 2018 season," he said.

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All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said he was disappointed but understood Sopoaga's reasons to begin a new chapter of his career in England.

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"Our job now will be to develop the next player to take his place," Hansen added.

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Sopoaga made his All Blacks debut in 2015 against South Africa but only started twice in his 16 Tests in a position dominated in recent years by Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Aaron Cruden.

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