After spending almost two years in the international wilderness, All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu isn't taking any chance to don the silver fern lightly.
"I'll take any opportunity that comes my way," said the 23-year-old after being named to start against the Pumas in Buenos Aires on Sunday (NZT).
"I'm pretty nervous, more excitement as well. I think those nerves will go once kick-off comes."
Tuipulotu made a rapid ascent through the rugby ranks after starring at the Under-20s world champs back in 2013.
He made his Super Rugby debut the following year and promptly received his call-up to the All Blacks squad that very season, earning his first cap off the bench in a tight win over England.
However his progress was cruelly derailed by the need for double hip surgery which saw him miss the best part of two seasons of Super Rugby, a setback Tuipulotu has now put firmly behind him.
His return to the Test arena has been a work in progress, but the Auckland-product believes he's back to requisite standards.
"At the start I would have to say no, but any game time under my belt I think I've slowly gotten there.
"I had a good year of Super Rugby and a couple of Mitre 10 [Cup] games as well.
"I feel I'm ready."
The torrid pace of an All Blacks camp certainly helps.
"Trainings are a lot faster than what Super Rugby and Mitre 10 levels are like. Coming into an All Blacks camp, you're always on your toes. Everything goes by quick."
With eight prior appearances for New Zealand as a substitute, this weekend will mark just the second occasion he's been a part of the game-day 15, Tuipulotu's persistent approach clearly paying dividends.
"Every week when they name the team, you wait for your name it's obviously disappointing when it's not read out.
"But you take it in your stride and and you try put your hand up every training, try push guys like Guz (Retallick) and other guys in your position in front of you, make them perform as well as they can."
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