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Lima Sopoaga is in seventh heaven.
Sopoaga (26), the Highlanders first five-eighth, will start his seventh season with the Highlanders tonight.
"It is another year and it is pretty cool to be part of another year. It is my seventh year. I’m still here, so obviously that means I have enjoyed it," he said.
"Horey [Andrew Hore] and that used to say you’ve got to cherish these times because before you know it, it’s all over. I find myself here, I’m 26 and think where did the time go?"
His seniority in the team has been recognised with inclusion in the Highlanders leadership team. Sopoaga is taking the promotion in his stride.
"We’ve got a lot of senior, experienced guys in the team. Elliot Dixon has been here for seven years, too. You’ve got Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Joe Wheeler, Ash Dixon, guys who have played a lot of football over the years. There are a lot of capable guys to lead."
Seven years means he has banked some knowledge on how to play the game.
"When I first came down here it was about just getting some game time. But as you get more time in the saddle, you get time to develop. I can’t thank this club enough for letting me develop. It may not have been as quickly as they would have hoped. I feel like we slowly got there and we are still getting there."
Sopoaga will mark fellow All Black Aaron Cruden tonight but any talk of the national jersey is a long way away.
"Obviously it would be pretty special to be part of that June test window but at the end of the day you’ve got to let your game speak and see what happens."