Sopoaga set for bench role against Force

Sopoaga has been out of action since he strained his hamstring against the Blues on March 11. Highlanders head coach Tony Brown said Sopoaga would probably make a return off the bench against the Force in Perth.

Marty Banks, who has filled in for Sopoaga in recent weeks, broke his nose in his team's 17-10 win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. He will be examined in the coming days.

The Highlanders are currently on a seven-game winning streak ahead of their clash against the Force. Brown's side also won their two games on tour in South Africa against the Cheetahs and the Bulls.

"I can't remember the last time we came to South Africa and won both of the games," Brown told nzherald.co.nz. "To get the seven wins in a row and set a record is massive for this team.

"We've put ourselves in a good position going into the last quarter of the competition. If we can keep our momentum going then who knows what we can do?"

The Highlanders will also be without wing Waisake Naholo for the clash in Perth after he was suspended for a shoulder-charge on Bulls centre Burger Odendaal.

Source: nzherald.co.nz