Captaincy may help drive Tuipulotu revival
Patrick Tuipulotu may not be the obvious choice to lead Auckland this season but if the responsibility stirs something within his large frame, it could prove an inspired decision.
In a squad featuring veterans Daniel Bowden and Greg PleasantsTate, along with the likes of All Blacks midfielder Malakai Fekitoa and talented openside Blake Gibson, Auckland coach Nick White had plenty of captaincy candidates.
Given Tuipulotu’s last act of note was being dropped by the Blues for turning up late to training before the headline game against the British and Irish Lions, giving him the leadership duty carries an element of surprise.
“He’s been good with us,” White said. “That’s happened before, so we’re not going to worry about that. He needs to lead, so hopefully we don’t have any of those issues.”
Tuipulotu’s tardiness came near the end of a Blues season where he fell behind Auckland locking partner Scott Scrafton and Harbour’s Gerard Cowley- Tuioti, while also sliding down the national pecking order.
Last year, Tuipulotu worked himself into a position as the preferred impact player behind senior All Blacks locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick. Now, he i s fifth choice, with Crusaders Scott Barrett and Luke Romano forging ahead.
It did not help this year started with Tuipulotu initially failing a doping test before being cleared.
White appears confident that is all behind him and feels the captaincy could awaken the beast.
“The boys will follow him because of the way he plays,” White said. “That was probably the main reason. There are a couple of other guys that could have done it but it should give Patrick a good purpose for the year.
“If he’s got that drive, it might bring a bit more out in him. It’s not there to put pressure on him but we want him to lead where he can.
“We’ve got other guys in critical positions who have to drive the game. He’s just got to play well.”
The door i s far from closed on Tuipulotu’s potential to charge back into the All Blacks. After 12 tests and contracted to 2019, the 24- year- old’s career is in its infancy.
“I have not thought about moving overseas or looked at any offers. For now, my future i s here at home,” Tuipulotu said, explaining what the All Blacks have asked him to deliver. “They want more consistency in terms of game- time and form and I have to agree with them. You can’t have a good game one week and not the next. That’s the main focus.”
Tuipulotu’s last captaincy stint came at St Peter’s College. When White asked him to assume the Auckland role he discussed it with his parents and, together, they decided this may be the challenge he needs.
“Not much has changed but I have more authority. I won’t change too much of what I do. I’ll still look to my peers if there’s a hard decision.”
Expect Tuipulotu to be a captain who largely leads through deeds but, when needed, he won’t be shy to vocalise his views.
“It certainly wasn’t easy at first but the more time I had, it became more natural. I don’t say a lot but what I do say, I think has a lot to count for.” Luteru Laulala Nigel Ah Wong SamFurniss Stephen Donald TNanai- Williams Baden Kerr Augustine Pulu ( c) SamHenwood Fotu Lokotui RRaaymakers Matiaha Martin Viliame Rarasea Kalolo Tuiloma Gafatasi Su'a Pauliasi Manu Jordan Trainor Vince Aso Malakai Fekitoa George Moala Caleb Clarke Daniel Bowden Jono Hickey Akira Ioane Blake Gibson Samuel Slade Scott Scrafton Patrick Tuipulotu ( c) Marcel Renata Greg Pleasants- Tate Sam Prattley Canterbury began their national provincial rugby season last night in the same fashion they ended last year’s — outmuscling Tasman, this time 39- 0 in Nelson.
In a repeat of last year’s premiership final — won 43- 27 by Canterbury — the red and blacks controlled the first half before fighting off a Tasman resurgence in the second spell.
Canterbury started promisingly, spending the first eight minutes camped inside the Tasman 22, twice crossing only to be held up over the tryline.
The relentless pressure inevitably told, fullback George Bridge muscling over after snappy work off the back of an attacking scrum.
In contrast, Tasman struggled for field position as Canterbury’s wellorganised defence shut them down in the middle of the park.
They did manage to close to within a couple of metres of the Canterbury line as the half- hour mark neared, grinding away with a series of charges one off the ruck.
But centre Tim Bateman stripped the ball in the tackle and hared 80m downfield to reset the Canterbury attack.
Five minutes later, lock Dominic Bird barged over from a t ypically efficient Canterbury lineout drive, Richie Mo’unga’s conversion giving the defending champions a 20- 0 lead at halftime.
Tasman tackled the second half with more conviction, but although their defence was superb, they were let down by handling errors and turnovers at crucial times on attack.
Canterbury finished strongly, with tries to skipper Luke Whitelock, second- five Rob Thompson and lock Mitchell Dunshea completing a dominant performance.