By Jerram Watts
Wellington Lions first-five Lima Sopoaga made his long-awaited return from injury against Waikato on Saturday.
The shoulder injury he picked up playing for the Highlanders sidelined him for six months, but he'll have to wait a few more weeks to get back his starting spot.
“It's going to be pretty tough to get my jersey back but ill just chip away at it and hopefully take my opportunities better when they come,” says Sopoaga.
Sopoaga injured his AC joint playing for the Highlanders back in March, and says it has been a long six months to recovery.
“It was a struggle eh, it was a really big struggle," he says. "Along the way there have been some demons but I got there in the end and it’s been good."
And good he was on Saturday against Waikato, coming off the bench and setting up Jason Woodward in the final minutes.
“I was happy with the chip, but I wasn’t happy Jason Woodward didn’t set me up for a try,” he says.
Wellington are four from five with Tim Bateman at first receiver, meaning coach Chris Boyd isn't rushing Sopoaga back into the starting 15.
“I had a discussion with Lima this morning, he's not ready to start yet," says Boyd. "He’s still got to get himself into rugby mode and feel confident with running the environment."
The Lions face Auckland this weekend with Sopoaga to come off the bench again.
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