Former All Blacks fly-half Lima Sopoaga has returned to New Zealand after eight years abroad and is set to feature for Waikato in the National Provincial Championship (NPC).
Sopoaga left New Zealand in 2017 to join English Premiership side Wasps. He later played in France’s Top 14 with Lyon from 2021 to 2023, and most recently, for Japan Rugby League One team Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks from 2023 to 2025.
The 34-year-old, who earned 16 caps for the All Blacks between 2015 and 2017, has been named on the bench for Waikato’s NPC season opener against Auckland at Eden Park on Thursday.
Lienert-Brown sidelined
Sopoaga, who also represented Samoa at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, was brought into Waikato’s squad in light of Anton Lienert-Brown’s injury. The All Blacks centre is out with a shoulder issue unrelated to the collarbone fracture that had him sidelined during part of the Chiefs’ recent Super Rugby Pacific season. He is, however, expected to be ready for the Rugby Championship.
Sopoaga hasn’t played in the NPC since September 2016, when he last turned out for Southland. He began his provincial journey with Wellington in 2010 before switching to Southland, where he played from 2014 to 2017.
A standout at the U20 level for New Zealand, Sopoaga also had a successful Super Rugby career with the Highlanders between 2011 and 2018. Notably, he was a key figure in the team’s 2015 Super Rugby title win.
On social media, Sopoaga reacted to his unexpected NPC return by posting:
“This wasn’t on the bingo card for 2025, but here we are. Guess we running it back then or maybe I should run and get some dye first.”
Cruden starts at fly-half
Sopoaga will serve as the reserve fly-half behind another All Blacks veteran, Aaron Cruden, who will start at number 10 for Waikato in Thursday’s game. Cruden, who has 50 Test caps, leads the backline for the opening fixture.
Lienert-Brown’s absence leaves Waikato short on experience, but his injury opens the door for other players in Scott Robertson’s national squad to feature in NPC’s first round.
Elsewhere in the NPC, Ruben Love will line up for Wellington when they host Canterbury. Brodie McAlister will be in Canterbury’s squad for that encounter.
In another match, Otago will benefit from the inclusion of number eight Christian Lio-Willie as they face Southland in Invercargill.
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