Former All Blacks No.8 Mose Tuiali’i wants to build on the momentum of his first game in New Zealand since 2008 when the Highlanders seek to break their Super Rugby duck against the Brumbies in Dunedin on Friday.

Tuiali’i, 32, was a standout player for the winless Highlanders in last weekend’s loss to the Blues in Auckland, having answered a SOS call from coach Jamie Joseph to reinforce the injury-hit franchise.

It had been two months since Tuiali’i had played for his Japanese club Yamaha and almost five years since the nine-test All Black had turned out for the last of his 65 games for the Crusaders.

“The lungs were burning a bit,” he said.

“I was surprised how well I lasted. My main goal was just to get to halftime but my legs took me further than I thought.

“I was just trying to get my hands on the ball and get some go-forward.”

Tuiali’i believes he is a more-rounded player than when he last played in New Zealand.

“I’d like to think I’ve got a better overview of the game. I’m a lot wiser now than I was then and I make sure I do my homework during the week.”

Joseph has made six changes to the bottom-placed Highlanders as they prepare to end their string of six defeats.

All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, five-eighth Colin Slade, centre Jason Emery, lock Josh Bekhuis and prop Chris King have been relegated to the reserves and winger Buxton Popoali’i is injured.

They have been replaced by Fumiaki Tanaka, Hayden Parker, Phil Burleigh, TJ Ioane, Ma’afu Fia and Kade Poki. Tanaka, Parker and Ioane will all be making their starting debuts.

Tuali’i says the Brumbies, who sit equal with the Chiefs at the top of the table, will be formidable opposition.