Unselected All Black Lima Sopoaga has ruled himself out of Southland's ITM Cup match against Wellington after suffering an injury.
The first five-eighth was initially named at fullback on Southland's team sheet but after picking up a hamstring injury, he called his coach this morning to say he wouldn't be able to play.
Sopoaga's withdrawal means Junior Ngaluafe will pull on the number 15 jersey in Invercargill on Saturday night with Ash Moeke set to start at first five.
Sopoaga, who was unlucky to miss out on the All Blacks' 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup, is targeting a return for Southland against Waikato in Hamilton next week.
Southland: Junior Ngaluafe, Tauasosi Tuimavave, Kieran Moffat, Wills Halaholo, Keanu Kahukura, Ash Moeke, Scott Eade, Elliot Dixon, Tim Boys, Bill Fukofuka, Joel Everson, Josh Bekhuis, Guy Millar, Dillan Halaholo, Jamie Mackintosh (c)
Reserves: David Hall, Morgan Mitchell, Reuben Northover. Michael Stewart, Alex Taylor, Liam Howley/Scott Cowan, James Schrader, Lolohea Loco
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