Injured All Black Lima Sopoaga will not feature during the Highlanders' two‑match tour of South Africa.
Sopoaga, one of a bunch of All Blacks under an injury cloud ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour, has not played since a hamstring against the Blues in round three.
The 26‑year‑old was initially given a six‑eight week recovery period and Highlanders coach Tony Brown says Sopoaga is still at least two weeks away from finishing his recovery period.
Highlanders: Matt Faddes, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Patrick Osborne, Marty Banks, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock (co‑captain), Dillon Hunt, Liam Squire, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert‑Brown. Reserves: Ash Dixon (co‑captain), Aki Seiuli, Siate Tokolahi, Elliot Dixon, Gareth Evans, Kayne Hammington, Fletcher Smith, Richard Buckman.
Source: stuff.co.nz
