Sopoaga was one of the Highlanders' best in the commanding win over the Chiefs.
It was all so different from two years ago when Sopoaga had a a forgettable night against the Cheetahs in Invercargill, being substituted before halftime.
Sopoaga admitted after Saturday night's victory that the Cheetahs game had crossed his mind before the opening whistle against the Chiefs.
''I have always thought of that game coming back here. It was a little bit of a motivation tonight,'' he said.
''I remember Brad Thorn coming up to me after that game and talking about Darren Lockyer and how in his first test debut for the Kangaroos, he had a shocker. I will never forget the feeling of going out and having an absolute howler and getting dragged in the 38th minute.
''But Jamie J stuck by me, the Highlanders stuck by me and let me grow my game. Guys like Damian McKenzie and Otere Black have come in and they are like ducks to water. I came in exactly the same age but it has taken me a bit of time.
''But I'm happy it has taken a bit of time. I'm happier for those experiences and I went through that.''
Sopoaga said the Highlanders won the key moments on Saturday night game and made fewer mistakes at critical times.
''I think we've got to give big ups to our forwards. They were the ones who set the platform, got us going forward, and they were the key difference.
''I just had to put the ball in front of the forwards and they just worked and worked and worked.''
All Black coach Steve Hansen was in the stand, and Sopoaga cannot be far off a national call up.
He will not be the only Highlander in the frame after the side's most impressive win in years.
The Highlanders wore the Chiefs down and ended up running away with the game to record a double over the former champions.
Big winger Patrick Osborne scored the first try, just before the half hour mark. He stepped inside his marker 10m out and the burst through a gap to score.
The Chiefs appeared to score right on halftime but Damian McKenzie's effort was ruled out - it was a 50 50 call, at best - and the Highlanders pulled away in the second half.
Winger Waisake Naholo took the ball off the lineout and went on a mazy 50m run to dot down in the corner, 10 minutes into the second half, in an outstanding individual effort.
Sopoaga banged over a couple of penalties, and in the final 10 minutes, tries came to second five eighth Richard Buckman and fullback Ben Smith, who scored the vital bonus point try with less than two minutes left.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said after the game his side was flat throughout and was out gunned around the park. He was disappointed the score blew out at the end, saying there were some bad reads on defence.
The McKenzie ''try'' could have made it tighter at halftime but he had not had a good look at the incident.
It was hard to pick out a Highlander in such a team effort but halfback Aaron Smith and Sopoaga impressed and both wingers were dangerous.
The front row was solid and loose forwards Dan Pryor and John Hardie never backed down.
Super rugby
The scores
Highlanders 36
Patrick Osborne, Waisake Naholo, Richard Buckman, Ben Smith tries; Lima Sopoaga 2 con, 4 pen
Chiefs 9
Damian McKenzie 3 pen
Halftime: Highlanders 11-3.
Crowd: 10,500.
