Newcastle recruited Gopperth when Jonny Wilkinson decided to join Toulon in the summer of 2009. Gopperth proved an able replacement. He contributed 219 points to be the Premiership's top scorer in his first season.

His best individual performance for Newcastle came on a Friday night at Sale in late April when the team needed victory to avoid being plunged into relegation trouble. He ignored nerves to score 27 of his team's points in a crucial 32-30 win.

Gopperth had a distinguished record before his arrival by slotting 363 points in 53 games for the Blues and Hurricanes in the Super 14. He also played for the Junior All Blacks and the successful New Zealand Under-21s at the 2004 Junior World Cup. He lists surfing among his favourite hobbies and has given Newcastle colleagues lessons on the North East coast.