All Blacks first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga has been released to play for the Southland Stags against Auckland in Invercargill on Friday night.

The All Blacks squad has a weekend off from the Rugby Championship and the management has released 11 players from the wider squad to play provincial rugby.

While Sopoaga will lineup at Rugby Park Southland's other All Black - loose forward Elliot Dixon - is still being rested.

Sopoaga presence will provide the Stags with a boost and also the decision-makers with a dilemma.

They may push current first five-eighth Wharenui Hawera or Sopoaga back to fullback to accommodate both in the starting lineup.

Four All Blacks - Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Charlie Faumuina and Rieko Ioane - have been released to play for Auckland in the game in Invercargill.