'I feel in the shape of my life. I haven't stopped working since the World Cup.'
Patrick Tuipulotu will be sole captain of the Blues this year, a recognition which he describes as a privilege and one which he hopes will help him become a “world-class lock,” something he feels he hasn’t quite achieved yet.
The 26-year-old, who has played 30 tests for the All Blacks, said he didn’t stop training after the World Cup in Japan, where he played four matches, including as a replacement in the semifinal defeat to England in Yokohama and bronze medal playoff victory over Wales in Tokyo.
He credited an improved diet with getting him to the World Cup and he finally appears ready to deliver on his undoubted potential and physical gifts. At 1.98m and 120kg he is a considerable figure and his tackling against the Wallabies at Eden Park last year had several of the visitors spooked by the end of his team’s 36-0 victory.
With Brodie Retallick unavailable for the All Blacks this year due to a Japan sabbatical and Sam Whitelock not playing for the Crusaders in 2020 due to his own sabbatical deal, Tuipulotu will be New Zealand’s senior lock this Super Rugby season and should have no shortage of motivation.
“I’ve always thought [All Blacks aspirations] will take care of itself if I take care of my job here at the Blues,” he said. “There’s obviously a vacancy there.
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“One thing that excites me is striving to be a world-class lock. Personally I don’t think I have been over the past couple of years or during my tenure here. That’s another goal of mine.
“It could be mental, physical,” he added of his perceived shortcomings but stated: “At the moment I feel in the shape of my life. I haven’t stopped working since the World Cup. With that I hope I can bring the confidence to my game and from there spur the boys on.”
Asked about his nine tests last year, the most he has played in 12 months since making his debut in 2014, Tuipulotu said: “You have to make the most of every opportunity you get in the All Black environment. Obviously you want to stay there for as long as you can.
“For me to make the World Cup squad was one thing but to stay there and be proud and keep putting the work in was another story. It has put me in good stead for this year.”
Tuipulotu shared the captaincy duties with flanker Blake Gibson last year. Coach Leon MacDonald said Gibson, who has been troubled with injuries over the last couple of years, wanted to concentrate on his own game.
For assistant coach Tana Umaga, the choice of captain was an obvious one. “Patrick, it’s all on his shoulders,” Umaga said. “He has a great support group around him and he’s flourished since we’ve named him. He’s really taken it upon himself to pull this team forward and make sure there are no excuses any more.
“Our All Blacks and captain have come back in great nick. They’re leading from the front.”
As we near kick-off for the Tokyo Olympics, the stakes are rising as the World Sevens Series enters its third round in Hamilton this weekend.https://t.co/6OGcHX4R8N
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 22, 2020
Neither Tuipulotu nor fellow All Black Rieko Ioane will play in the Blues’ final pre-season match against the Hurricanes at Onewa Domain on Friday, but both will be available for the first game against the Chiefs at Eden Park seven days later.
One young man lost to New Zealand rugby is Umaga’s nephew Jacob, a 21-year-old first-five named in the full England squad after representing his adopted nation at under-18 level.
Jacob, the son of Tana’s brother Mike, a former Samoa international, was in no doubt about which nation he wanted to represent, Tana said.
“We’re very proud of Jacob and what he’s achieved in such a short amount of time,” he said. “Those questions were answered a long time ago. Jake was always keen to play for England – we’re all behind him 100 per cent.”
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.
Disgraced former Wallaby Israel Folau has been scouted by a Northern Hemisphere club:
Comments on RugbyPass
This looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to comments