Ex-all Black backs Tuipulotu selection
Patrick Tuipulotu deserves a trip to Japan, says former All Blacks lock Ian Jones.
Jones believes taking Tuipulotu as the All Blacks’ fourth lock to the World Cup next month should be considered a necessity rather than a luxury – especially with Brodie Retallick still recovering from a shoulder injury.
Retallick dislocated his shoulder against South Africa a month ago, and may not be declared fit until the suddendeath phase of the global tournament which starts on October 19-20.
Taking only two fit specialist locks in Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett will be too risky, believes Jones, who played 79 tests and represented the All Blacks at three World Cups between 1989 and 1999.
Jones would rather the All Blacks’ went into their first pool game against South Africa in Yokohama on September 21 with a full quota of tall men, instead of asking a loose forward to provide back-up for Whitelock and Barrett.
‘‘Without a specialist lock in that position, I think it is too big a risk,’’ Jones said.
‘‘The risk you take is to drop that game . . . and Brodie might not be ready for the quarterfinal and you have the same scenario, potentially, against who knows – Ireland?
‘‘So I don’t think we can take that risk. I would prefer that we have specialists in those roles.’’
When the All Blacks drew 16-16 with South Africa in Wellington on July 27, they not only lost Retallick after a crude clean-out by replacement lock RG Snyman.
They also left knowing the South African forwards had lost none of their aggressive attitude, and will be prepared to use brute force once again when they meet next in Yokohama.
Jones said that game in Wellington was a reminder of how the old foe would approach the opening pool game.
‘‘The way that the Springboks will specifically try and outmuscle us, which they tried to do in Wellington – the way they will try to control our set-piece, lineouts and kick-offs.’’
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has said the selectors could take just three locks to Japan, even with Retallick under an injury cloud.
The other pool games against Canada, Namibia and Italy will not be as taxing as the first clash, which means the selectors could manage Whitelock and Barrett’s workload by asking a blindside flanker – potentially Liam Squire, Vaea Fifita or Jackson Hemopo – to slot into the second row.
But Jones would prefer Tuipulotu be rewarded for his impressive contribution to the All Blacks’ 36-0 win over the Wallabies recently, when he started in place of the suspended Barrett.
Following his retirement from rugby Jones became hooked on endurance events and that gave him an insight into the importance of fuelling up on the right fluids and food for races.
Tuipulotu, he believes, appears to have mastered the art of getting the best out of big body thanks to the All Blacks’ strength and conditioning coach Dr Nic Gill.
‘‘There was always this kind of impression, in my mind anyway, why this guy didn’t last more than 20 or 30 minutes,’’ Jones said.
‘‘Just from my own sporting background, from my endurance background, I always kind of questioned what this guy’s nutrition or hydration was.
‘‘Because anyone under Dr Nic Gill is going to be fully fit, there is never any question [of that].
‘‘So clearly something changed, they got something right and he lasted about 70 minutes at Eden Park.’’
That, said Jones, means the selectors should put their trust in Tuipulotu.
‘‘So whatever formula they had heading into that game, I am sure Dr Nic Gill has got that sorted now and Paddy can now go out there and be a realistic player for 60 minutes of the game.
‘‘So he absolutely comes into the reckoning, and won’t let the team down. I think he deserves a spot.’’