Highlanders

Despite fielding a supposedly depowered back three and the absence of two key forwards, the Highlanders notched their fifth win in seven matches over the New South Welshmen, though not before the concession of three tries in eight minutes set up a frantic climax at Allianz Stadium.

In a rematch of last year's Super Rugby title-decider, the 25-year-old's angled kick from just outside the 22m line gave the champion Highlanders their first win of the season, while leaving last year's runners-up 0-2 and under pressure after two rounds. "It was a good game, wasn't it? Just lucky we managed to pull through at the end there," Highlanders captain Ben Smith said pitchside.

Patrick Tuipulotu dived over from close range to push the Blues ahead 31-24 in the 71st minute of the Eden Park season opener, but a possible ruck infringement during the lead-up might mean the visitors were hard done by.

24-year-old Sopoaga has played 49 games for the Highlanders and made his All Blacks Test debut this year against the Springboks in South Africa.

He holds the season record for points scored by a Highlander with 191 in 2015.

Highlanders first five Lima Sopoaga and Hurricanes lock James Broadhurst will make their first appearances in the black jersey against South Africa on Sunday morning.

Sopoaga says playing inside Ma'a Nonu has been just a dream until now.

"Y'know I grew up in the 04 looking up to Nonu, never did I imagine playing a test with him, especially at Ellis Park in the ten jumper."

Sopoaga says Highlanders coaches Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown told him to strip back his game.