Sopoaga (20) was last seen in the Highlanders No 10 jersey on February 25, ironically when the Highlanders beat the Chiefs at Carisbrook. The youngster was forced off the field with a shoulder injury in that game.
But with injuries to both Colin Slade (jaw) and Tony Brown (hamstring) the Wellington product gets another start.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph admitted the situation was forced on him by injuries but he had faith in Sopoaga.
"We liked what we saw with Robbie [Robinson] back at fullback against the Crusaders and thinks he deserves another chance there," Joseph said.
"And that opens up the chance for Lima to have another crack there . . . he is a bit rusty but he is employed to play at the top level. It is a bit of an ask but he is a quality boy and he'll do all right."
Sopoaga is the only change to the starting XV from the team which lost last week to the Blues.
Prop Bronson Murray is over a shoulder injury and comes into the reserves, while youngster Brayden Mitchell also gets a spot on the bench. Sopoaga and Robinson will share the goalkicking duties.
Joseph said the Chiefs might be at the bottom of the New Zealand conference but they would be a tough opponent.
"You only have to look at their backline and their forward pack and we will be up against it."
The Chiefs are travelling back from South Africa but Joseph doubted that would have much of an impact on the side, saying they had left players at home who would be playing in Hamilton.
"They are key players, quality men. And they are at home. I know what it is like to get home - you can't wait to get into it [the game]."
The side had moved past last week's disappointing loss to the Blues, and Joseph said it was simply a fact that players needed to get over it.
He denied that if the side lost tomorrow night it would be a sign of the wheels falling off. The Chiefs welcome back Sitiveni Sivivatu, while Scott Waldrom continues on the openside flank with Tanerau Latimer over a concussion and making it to the bench.
The hard-running Fritz Lee will start at No 8.
Highlanders v Chiefs
Hamilton, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Robbie Robinson, Kade Poki, Kendrick Lynn, Ben Smith, Siale Piutau, Lima Sopoaga, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain). Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Bronson Murray, Tom Donnelly, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Smith, Matt Saunders, James Paterson.
Chiefs: Mils Muliaina, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Dwayne Sweeney, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Fritz Lee, Scott Waldrom, Liam Messam, Romana Graham, Craig Clarke, Ben Afeaki, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith.
Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Sona Taumalolo, Isaac Ross, Tanerau Latimer, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tim Nanai-Williams, Jackson Willison.
