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Sport Nation
'I can't wait to have a crack': Lima Sopoaga on his shock return to NPC with Waikato
Sport Nation • July 31st, 2025 9:59 am
Lima Sopoaga | Photo: Photosport
There were plenty of second takes across the country earlier this week when Waikato released their first matchday squad of the NPC season and Lima Sopoaga's name appeared on the graphic.
The former All Black has recently returned from a two-year stint in Japan, where he strapped up his reliable boots for the Shimizu Blue Sharks - the final stop on a rugby OE that included 53 games for London club Wasps and three years with Top 14 side Lyon.
And at 34 years old, it appears Sopoaga's passion for the game still burns brightly, and he'll back on the pitch at Eden Park for the competition opener against Auckland on Thursday night.
Albeit, slightly earlier than he'd anticipated.
"Good old (Waikato head coach Ross Filipo) said to me a week ago, 'oh, we won't use you until probably rounds three or four'," he told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy.
"Then he gave me a call on Sunday morning as I was biking with my kids to the market like, 'bro, we're going to have you in this week'. And I was saying 'oh yeah, I'll hold some tackle shields'.
"He's like 'nah, you're in the 23. You're good to go'."
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Sopoaga admits being the elder statesman - part of the "Koro club" alongside his former All Blacks teammate Aaron Cruden - has taken some getting used to but enthusiasm is high for his first professional match on Aotearoa soil since 2018.
The Lower Hutt product and Highlanders Super Rugby champion has previously represented Wellington and Southland at NPC level.
"It is pretty funny at this stage of your career. Some of my teammates have told me they used to watch me when they were at primary school," he laughed.
"It's good to be back in the game. It's pretty exciting. I can't wait to have a crack out there."
As for his expectations and aspirations for the season, Sopoaga says he's simply aiming to keep things simple and rediscover his feet on the NZ rugby stage.
The priorities are much different for the family man at this stage of his career, and the ability to operate as a pro and enjoy the perks of dad life is the juggling act he's currently happy to play.
While he has some irons in the fire for beyond the NPC season, he concedes he's not ready to pull any triggers just yet.
"I just want to play good rugby first and foremost, but also this group's got some lofty expectations. Ideally, I just want to help win the competition and then whatever happens after that happens, whether it's here in New Zealand or overseas.
"At the minute, I'm quite at peace just being at home, hanging out with my kids, doing the school drop-offs, watching them do after school sports and things like that.
"I'm weighing up a few options at the moment, but at this present time I'm just happy to be a present father and husband and happy to help out with this Waikato team.
"Hopefully we can do the mahi and get the treats."
