Injured All Blacks first‑five eighth Lima Sopoaga is set to make his long‑awaited return for the Highlanders next weekend.
The 26‑year‑old has missed the team's last eight games with a hamstring.
However, Highlanders coach Tony Brown confirmed Sopoaga would link up with the team in Perth ahead of next Saturday night's game against Western Force.
Should his scheduled return eventuate, Sopoaga will have three Super Rugby games to show the national selectors he should be part of the All Blacks to play a three‑test series against the British and Irish Lions in June and July.
Looking at Super Rugby results throughout the weekend, Western Force defeated the Jaguares 16‑6, the Crusaders beat the Hurricanes 20- 12, the Highlanders beat the Bulls 17‑10, the Reds beat the Rebels 29‑24, the Kings upset the Sharks 35‑32, the Blues defeated the Cheetahs 50‑32 and the Lions beat the Brumbies 13‑6.
