Lima Sopoaga

Lima Sopoaga is a young, skillful flyhalf who burst on to the scene in 2010 while playing for the Wellington Lions where he became the regular starter in the No. 10 jersey. Injuries limited his 2012 and 2013 Super Rugby seasons, but in 2014 and 2015, regular game-time has seen the playmaker’s game blossom, he has built a reputation for taking the ball strongly to the line and creating exciting opportunities for his powerful wings. He is also a very accurate goal kicker and a talented playmaker. 25-year-old Sopoaga has played 53 games for the Highlanders and made his All Blacks Test debut in 2015 against the Springboks in South Africa. Sopoaga claimed the record for most points scored in one season by a Highlander with 191 in 2015 and is the second-ranked Highlander for most career points on 639 (behind head coach Tony Brown). Currently in the All Blacks, he will be looking to build on his good form as a key member of the Highlanders backline in 2018.