New Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu struck a determined figure at training today, his eyes well and truly set on becoming an All Blacks regular once again.
The 30-year-old lock missed out on selection for the World Cup last year after a broken arm suffered during Super Rugby ruled him out of the All Blacks season.
But with the departures of Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, a pairing that held down the No. 4 and 5 jerseys for over a decade, Tuipulotu sees an opportunity to make the position his own.
"I’ve had a good break now and I’m ready to go," Tuipulotu said.
"You look at the calibre of guys who’ve left, there’s two pretty senior locks who’ve gone and two vacant spots there so I definitely want to put my hand up for one of those."
Tuipulotu has been capped 43 times for the All Blacks and likely would have made the World Cup squad had it not been for the injury suffered against the Highlanders last June.
He said the injury was "very" frustrating.
"During that Super Rugby season I was just starting to find some form and then to have that broken arm at a crucial time pretty much hindered my year.
"Came back a bit early and tried to play a few games for Auckland to put my hand up for the World Cup but it just wasn’t to be and I wasn’t ready.
"There’s been a silver lining in that I’ve had a good break and ready to hit this preseason running."
The towering lock was today named captain of the Blues for the upcoming season, taking over from Dalton Papali'i, and he said it was something he didn't take lightly.
The feeling you get leading this side into battle each week is something special,” said Tuipulotu.
“We’ve got a core of experienced Blues men who lead in their own way and it’s my job to empower that group of leaders to help propel the team forward.”
“Captaincy comes with a weight of expectation – we represent the people of our region and as a team we strive to do our fans proud whenever we pull on the Blues jersey.”
Tuipulotu said there was no bad blood between him and Papali'i.
"We're good mates, I trust him, have his backing and I think for him I suppose between us two I'll just be doing a lot more talking to the ref than him this round."
New Blues coach Vern Cotter said Tuipulotu has a strong influence around the team and was the "clear leader".
“Patty is a natural leader in this group, he’s an experienced head with nearly 100 caps for the team and has the respect of the players around him. I’m confident he’ll do an excellent job leading the Blues in 2024,” said Cotter.
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