Lima Sopoaga slides in for a try despite the presence of Hurricanes loose forward Victor Vito.

Highlanders first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga dug deep into his bag of tricks during his battle with Hurricanes counterpart Beauden Barrett in Wellington.

Five minutes before halftime and with the visitors trailing 14-7 in slippery conditions, the Highlanders No 10 launched an audacious chip kick that would have made Carlos Spencer proud.

Receiving the ball just inside his own half, Sopoaga turned his back to the defence and sent a kick over his head and into the arms of a charging Matt Faddes.

And while it didn't result in a try as the Highlanders conceded possession shortly after, you could only stand and applaud for the sheer nerve of the play.

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"That's a Tony Brown special," Sopoaga said when quizzed on the kick during the halftime interview on Sky Sports. "I think I almost pulled my hamstring."

Looking to push his All Blacks claims ahead of Sunday's squad announcement for the three-test series against Wales, Sopoaga had an eventful first half as he crossed for the Highlander's opening try.

But it was Barrett who finished in the winner's circle with a last-gasp Ardie Savea try helping the Hurricanes to a 27-20 victory.

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