Loyalty, passion and commitment are words that immediately spring to mind when you think of Falcons talisman Jimmy Gopperth.
Gopperth, 28, put pen to paper on a new three year contract extension earlier this month to end speculation linking him with a move away from Kingston Park.
And the New Plymouth born fly-half reveals that it was the ambitious vision of owner Semore Kurdi which made it a no brainer to sign on the dotted line despite a number of tantalising offers from clubs across Europe.
Explaining his reasons for committing to the rejuvenated North Eat set-up under the guidance of new director of rugby Gary Gold, Gopperth told media manager Stewart McCullough: “Semore Kurdi has shown me what he is trying to achieve here and how he wants to turn the club around which hugely impressed me – I want to be a part of it.
“I really believe that this club has not only got the ability to be a stronghold in the Aviva Premiership but it also has the potential to do well in the Heineken Cup.
“I am hugely delighted to have signed the contract and I love this area as most of the fans already know. Semore’s ambition speaks for itself and to get a guy like Gary Gold as well as Mike Ford and John Wells to join the club is fantastic.
“Ever since money came into rugby the loyalty has gone out of sport and it is a business now. The club has had faith in me and I feel privileged.”
If the Kiwi ever needed any convincing to extend his stay on Tyneside, it was the win against Sale that was a key factor in his decision making according to Gopperth.
“The win against Sale showed me what the boys could achieve in just one week under the new coaching set-up and that impressed me,” said Gopperth who has scooped the Aviva Premiership Golden Boot award for the last two season’s running.
He added: “I thought to myself, if this is what the boys can do in just one week of the new coach, what are we going to do in three, four and five weeks – that excites me.
“Apart from some of the national teams we have the best coaching team in the world and I think everyone at this club is very privileged to have them here.”
“People have blasted me for not having any ambition and of course I want to play at the highest level in the Heineken Cup but I think I am showing my ambition by staying here.
“I want to help build-up this club and reap the rewards at the end.”
The appointment of former South Africa assistant coach, Gold as the club’s new boss has injected a new found belief into the Falcons going into the business end of the campaign.
Gold was joined at Kingston Park by ex-England coaching duo Ford and Wells to complement the existing backroom staff as part of a major shake-up behind the scenes.
Gopperth said: “I have seen a change in attitude since they joined the club and I think it is important that the boys continue to work hard with Gary leading from the front.
“Gary has already made it clear that it is unacceptable to go through the motions and the training sessions are intense which is how they should be. If you train hard, you will play hard.
“There are no cutting corners and the key is that everyone is buying into their philosophy at the moment. We have a simple game plan and it is crucial that every single player on the field as well as the replacements and even the guys that do not get selected for games are on the same page.”
As well as picking up the Golden Boot award at a glitzy dinner in London last summer, Gopperth was named Falcons Players’ Player of the Year to add to his collection of personal accolades.
Renowned for his faultless goal-kicking, Gopperth admits it can be frustrating not to be taken seriously for his abilities with ball in hand.
Gopperth understands the reasons for this, saying: “First and foremost I am a running No. 10 but I think people have got into a situation where they are calling me a kicking fly-half because I kick goals.
“To be honest because of the league position that we are in we have been forced to kick at goal more regularly. Running with the ball in hand is a part of the game that I love and as I grew up playing as a kid I would run first and kick second.
“I have found the Premiership really demanding on the body compared to other leagues that I have played in. The breakdowns are highly contested in the Premiership and the speed of the ball denies you the ability to make line breaks.
“I think you become a better rugby player by playing in the Premiership and I know that I have had to play the game in a different way.”
Making the move to the North East in the summer of 2009, Gopperth tells me that he has not been back to his native New Zealand ever since further highlighting his love for the region.
And with Gopperth’s wife and daughter loving life on Tyneside it is little wonder why. In fact Gopperth’s daughter is even developing a Geordie accent.
He said: “My little one is starting school at the end of September and she has made a lot of friends through nursery. She is a little Geordie now and she talks like a Geordie although I try to slip a few Kiwi words into her speak – I think she is going to be a proper little Geordie.”
Gopperth will feature in Saturday’s crucial Aviva Premiership clash at home to London Irish which is a match in support of the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (kick-off 3pm).
Tickets are available for the game by calling the Falcons Ticket Hotline on 0871 226 6060 or click here to purchase online.
