All Blacks' lock Patrick Tuipulotu believes captaining Auckland has made him a better rugby player

  • 19/09/2017
Patrick Tuipulotu leads Auckland out to face North Harbour at QBE Stadium.
Patrick Tuipulotu leads Auckland out to face North Harbour at QBE Stadium. Photo credit: Photosport

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu believes his time away from the All Blacks has made him a better player, and person.

The 24-year-old was overlooked for the All Blacks squad for the British and Irish Lions series, and the Australasia leg of the Rugby Champions, but after some good form playing for Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup, he has been picked by Steve Hansen to make the trip to Argentina later this week.

The 10 Test forward has also been captaining Auckland during the 2017 campaign, a role he thinks has helped him grow into a more confident player

"It is has been good for me as I have put in some consistent performances out on the field," Tuipulotu told Newshub.

"It has helped me be harsher on myself as well as others in the team so that involves having hard conversations with coaches and players to get the get the best out of them and myself."

For Tuipulotu, he will be looking to feature in his first Test match since the All Blacks 68-10 win over Italy in November last year. 

Patrick Tuipulotu in action for the All Blacks against Italy in Rome.
Patrick Tuipulotu in action for the All Blacks against Italy in Rome. Photo credit: Photosport

He will likely face the Pumas as Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick who are being rested for the match and are heading straight to South Africa.

They will be accompanied by Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Beauden Barrett and Ryan Crotty who are also being rested.

Tuipulotu admitted he is ready for whatever the All Blacks coaches want him to do, and back Steve Hansen's decision to rest players.

"The skies the limit as it is up to me to do my job whether it is off the bench, on the training field or in the starting team.

"They picked me to do a job so I have to do that to the best of my ability.

"It is a tough season for the guys who play big minutes. It is going to take its toll somewhere so I think it is a smart decision to give them a rest to help them get through the long season

"Hansen knows not to be complacent so he knows when and where things should be done.

"It is good that he knows we won't get complacent and he is going to drive that throughout the next couple of weeks."

Joining Tuipulotu on the trip is fellow teammate Jerome Kaino who last played for the All Blacks in the 15-15 draw against Lions back in July.

Jerome Kaino in action for Auckland against Taranaki.
Jerome Kaino in action for Auckland against Taranaki. Photo credit: Photosport

The 34-year-old returns to the squad after taking time away to deal with personal matters.

To pass the time, the loose forward has been plying his trade for Auckland, and Tuipulotu thinks his experience and leadership has been helpful for the young players in the squad. 

"It has been great to have him in the Auckland jersey.

"It has been a while for him but I think he enjoys coming back down and putting the jersey on. He has enjoyed it and made the most of his time here." 

"A lot of the young guys look up to him and learn things from him. I even look up to Jerome as well.

"I love the way he carries the ball, the way he tackled and he is a real force on the field.

"I have always wanted to play like that and I still do so I understand what it is like for a young person to look up to him."

Both Tuipulotu and Kaino have been named in Auckland's squad to face Otago on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, the All Blacks depart for Argentina on Friday.

Newshub.