20 Questions: Jimmy Gopperth – Newcastle fly-half

Happy with your season so far?
Can’t complain. We’re unbeaten in the league and, on the back of a great performance against Tonga last Tuesday, the boys are pretty happy.
Great to be winning every week?
For sure. Everyone’s brimming with confidence. But we’re not sitting around thinking, ‘we’re a great team’, we want to push ourselves and get better.
How do you rate the Championship?
There are some quality sides and it seems everyone can beat each other. Results are all over the show and the biggest challenge is being switched-on mentally.
How’s Dean Richards been?
Brilliant! He brings a real professional attitude and creates a great environment where we all enjoy each other’s company. We celebrate our victories well!
Can Falcons become a Harlequins Mk II?
Yes. Dean’s putting everything in place to make sure that happens and he wants this to be a great club, one that’s winning and competing in the Heineken Cup.
Any regrets about joining Newcastle?
None. It’s a good place to live and the people have been great. It’s a good club and the things that are happening mean it’s really turning the corner.
Consider going elsewhere this summer?
I had options and there were some sleepless nights, but the vision of our owner, Semore Kurdi, in bringing in Dean tipped the balance. I just wanted to be part of it.
If you weren’t a rugby player, what would you be?
I’d probably be milking cows in New Zealand. I’m a dairy farmer by trade and my sister’s working the farm right now.
Teenage rugby idols?
I grew up watching Grant Fox playing for the All Blacks, then Andrew Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer came along. Guys like Zinzan Brooke and Michael Jones were equally inspirational to young rugby players in New Zealand.
How do you chill-out?
I’m right into my surfing, so whenever rugby allows I’m out there riding the waves. The surf’s pretty good on the Northumberland coast.
Enjoy any other sports?
I love diving and deep-sea fishing but the water’s a bit murky over here for that. I’m getting into golf, though, and everyone round here seems to play.
Best Falcons golfers?
The Scottish boys can all play while I just give it a bash. Scott MacLeod plays off 2, Rory Lawson’s off about 6 and Ally Hogg’s a 6 or 7. They’re all pretty sharp.
If you could be another sportsman, who would it be?
Kelly Slater, the 11-time world surfing champion. I watch all the competitions on-line and he’s absolutely brilliant.
Worst banter at Falcons?
Chris Pilgrim tries to give it but he just can’t take it back, which is pretty funny. He reckons he’s tough but you can get under his skin straight away and he crumbles.
Best and worst dressed?
Best is Alex Crockett, who pulls out some smooth little cardies and stuff. Worst is Oliver ‘The Hawk’ Tomaszczyk, who looks a right scruff in his dirty old training gear.
Enjoy cooking?
I do, actually, and I lay on a very fine New Zealand-style barbecue. I enjoy a really good steak.
Will England beat the All Blacks?
I don’t think so. The ABs are playing some pretty good footy and although they’re coming off a very long season, I don’t see enough quality to beat them.
Feel any pangs of regret when they won the World Cup?
A bit, especially when you saw all those fly-halves go down and wondered if you could have been involved. But when you go overseas you eliminate that aspiration.
Tell us something unusual about Dean Richards?
He’s got a different type of banter where he’ll tell you something and you don’t know what to do. You don’t know if he’s joking or not and it keeps the boys right on edge.
Promotion and relegation… yes or no?
No. If they shut it off teams would be able to hold their players, plan for the future and play an expansive style of rugby without any fear.