Lima Sopoaga relishing rare start for All Blacks against Wallabies in Bledisloe Cup clash

  • 19/10/2017

With Beauden Barrett ruled out of the third Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Lima Sopoaga has the chance to claim a rare Test start in the 10 jersey.

It will be Sopoaga's second Test start for the national side, more than two years since his first against South Africa back in 2015 in Johannesburg.

That has been a long wait for the 26-year-old, who has played most of his Tests off the bench.

"The easy answer is that I'm really excited and it is a great opportunity," said Sopoaga.

"I don't really think I'd be able to articulate with you guys how much it means to me." 

Sopoaga was expected to be named to start for the All Blacks during their Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in Buenos Aries, but he gave up the chance to stay home for the birth of daughter Milla.

"Some things are bigger than rugby," he said. "I would have missed three or four games for my daughter, and how special that was, so to be able to get the start this week, I feel fortunate and looking forward to it."  

Beauden Barrett.
Beauden Barrett. Photo credit: Getty Images

Sopoaga has replaced Barrett, who is still suffering from the concussion symptoms he picked up during the All Blacks' 25-24 win over the Springboks in Cape Town.

Barrett went off in the first half and passed the required HIA test, but felt unwell and did not return from the half-time break.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said that Barrett was not picked, as they did not want to risk him suffering further damage.

"The system's there to protect the player and in this case, he passed it, but doc said 'look, he's still not great', so we protected him anyway," said Hansen.

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