Highlanders

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.