Highlanders first five Lima Sopoaga will start for the All Blacks in Saturday night's third Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Beauden Barrett was ruled out of contention because of concussion.
Sopoaga's only previous test start was on debut against South Africa in July, 2015 and he has since made 11 other appearances off the bench.
The All Blacks will take on the Wallabies at 10pm this Saturday in the final Bledisloe Cup test.
