Jimmy Gopperth has been confirmed as one of the players set to represent the Classics New Zealand side later this month when they take on the Brazil Tupis.
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
The match will be played in São Paulo on August 29, with the Classics coached by former All Blacks Carlos Spencer and Chris Masoe.
Gopperth is among a host of well-known names in the squad, alongside Nehe Milner-Skudder, Richard Kahui and Joe Moody.
The Classics are a touring rugby team made up of retired professionals and former New Zealand representatives. The side plays exhibition and community matches both in New Zealand and around the world to promote the game and support local rugby initiatives.
Their latest squad features an impressive collection of former stars, who will face a Brazilian representative team made up of some of the country’s leading talent.
Although he never earned an All Blacks cap, Gopperth is widely regarded as one of the finest players never to play international rugby, having enjoyed a long and highly successful career, particularly in the northern hemisphere.
Across a professional career spanning 23 years, he made 526 appearances, one of the highest totals in the professional era, and scored more than 4,500 points.
Gopperth began his career in New Zealand with Wellington, North Harbour, the Hurricanes and the Blues before moving to Europe in 2009.
He went on to play for Newcastle Falcons in PREM Rugby and Leinster in Ireland, before joining Wasps in 2015, where he made 156 appearances across seven seasons. Gopperth announced his retirement in November 2025.
However, retirement proved only temporary. In March, he returned to the field for Kenilworth RFC in their final home game of the season against Malvern.
Named in the Men’s 1XV squad, Gopperth ran out at Glasshouse Lane, giving supporters the chance to watch a player with genuine elite-level experience in grassroots rugby.
Editors Picks:
The greatest rugby players to have never played a Test
5 Jimmy Gopperth
Few players can match the longevity and consistency shown by Jimmy Gopperth throughout the professional era.
The New Zealand fly-half amassed more than 500 senior appearances and scored over 4,500 career points while starring for Newcastle Falcons, Leinster, Wasps and Leicester Tigers.
Despite an outstanding club career spanning more than two decades, a full All Blacks cap never arrived.
4 Julian Salvi
A tireless presence at the breakdown, Julian Salvi earned a reputation as one of the best openside flankers never to play Test rugby.
He won the 2013 PREM Rugby title with Leicester Tigers and earned Player of the Year honours, establishing himself as one of the league’s elite openside flankers.
Even after captaining Australia Under-21s and representing Australia A, Wallabies selection always remained out of reach.
3 Richard Birkett
Richard Birkett enjoyed a decorated club career with Wasps but never earned an England cap despite his consistent performances.
The lock won four PREM Rugby titles between 2003 and 2008, featuring in each final, while also lifting the 2004 Heineken Cup. A serious neck injury forced his retirement in 2012 after a successful career.
2 Ettienne Botha
Etienne Botha was one of South Africa’s most prolific domestic centres, starring for the Falcons before becoming a key figure for the Blue Bulls.
He won three Currie Cup titles and scored a record 18 tries during their 2004 triumph, earning Player of the Year honours. His promising career was tragically cut short after his death in a 2005 car accident.
1 Duane Monkley
Despite never earning an All Blacks cap, Duane Monkley is regarded as one of Waikato’s greatest players. The openside flanker made 136 appearances between 1987 and 1996, helping the province win the 1992 NPC title and lift the Ranfurly Shield twice.
He was also a member of the Chiefs’ inaugural Super Rugby squad in 1996.