Lima Sopoaga
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph believes Lima Sopoaga must continue his rich vein of Super Rugby form backed up with a strong finish to the season to force himself into contention for the All Blacks.
One can argue that Sopoaga has been the most consistent New Zealand flyhalf with his improved confidence and game management.
Colin Slade has been in silky form for the Crusaders, but he crossing hemispheres after the World Cup and so is Dan Carter.
Chiefs playmaker Aaron Cruden will almost certainly miss the World Cup with a serious knee injury and Hurricane Beauden Barrett will be out for 4 weeks.
Barrett’s scans revealed a grade 2 tear of his medial collateral ligament (MCL) which he suffered during the Hurricanes’ match against the Crusaders last Saturday.
The uncapped Sopoaga, if he maintains his form, must be next in line.
He produced almost the complete game in the 48 / 15 win over the Sharks last weekend, but he needs to maintain that standard, starting with the match against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Sopoaga moved from Wellington to Dunedin in 2011 with Joseph, who says he has matured both as a player and person.
“There are flyhalves injured or going overseas at the end of the year so that will open up opportunities for others, including Lima,” Joseph said.
“I’m really pleased with him. He’s a leader who is implementing our game plan, he is kicking very well and, so long as he keeps playing well, he must be in with a shout.”
Sopoaga, who has established an excellent rapport with All Black’s scrumhalf Aaron Smith, has been a penetrative runner from broken play.
He has also been quick to feed the ball to the potent back 4 of Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Waisake Naholo and Ben Smith, and is goal-kicking is at 80%.
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