Tuipulotu sets sights on getting Blues into play offs

Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu is determined to build on the form he enjoyed in 2014 when the Blues start their Super Rugby season this week.

Tuipulotu says that he is ready to get back into action after a summer break ahead of his second season with the Blues.

“Last season being my first season I was happy to get whatever (play) I could, but coming in now after the consistent form of last year I want to carry that on this year.

“I don’t want to get a taste of that second year syndrome that everyone seems to be talking about. I’m trying to work hard to keep myself up and to be open to things,” he told the All Black site.

“I want to be more than just an impact player for the All Blacks. And for the Blues I want, first and foremost, to get us into the play-offs.”

Tuipulotu is enjoying that from the start of the season there has been a lack of injuries which has had the locks competing with each other and making it harder for one and other.

“We all want to put our hands up and give JK (coach John Kirwan) a headache for selection.

“Everyone wants to play, everyone wants a starting jersey and everyone knows they have to work hard every week. When it comes to selection time you will know whether or not you have worked hard.”

Looking back at the end of last season with the All Blacks on their end of year tour Tuipulotu said it was good to play against other sides that are not part of the Sanzar nations.

“It was good experience, I enjoyed it and I enjoyed playing well at times too so it was good to get that under my belt and I’m just a bit more hungry now for more.”

The lock admitted that he was surprised at the level of physicality of the Northern Hemisphere sides at the breakdown as they were tougher than many of the teams in Super Rugby.

“And in the contact area they were pretty strong as well.”

“There’s a lot of work to be done. I think we went over a bit underdone. We still came away with the wins but there’s a lot of work to be done. “

“We’re not taking anything for granted, we know we’ve got to work hard, and keep our heads,” he said.