All Blacks

PLAYER PROFILE

Patrick Tuipulotu

Lock

KEY STATS

UPDATED

AGE

26

WEIGHT

120KG

HEIGHT

198CM

GAMES

30

POINTS

15

TRIES

3

CONV

0

PEN

0

All Blacks Next match

All Blacks

VS

Wales

BIOGRAPHY

A LARGE, PHYSICAL player, Patrick Tuipulotu has developed into a top-quality lock since making his provincial debut for Auckland in 2012.

The St Peter’s College old boy continued developing his game at the highest level and played for the New Zealand Under 20 team at the 2013 Junior World Championship.

A quietly-spoken man, Tuipulotu was selected for the Blues for the 2014 Super Season and an impressive campaign saw him make the All Blacks squad for that season’s Steinlager Series against England.

He went onto play seven Tests that year, including two Tests in the Rugby Championship and three Tests on the Northern Tour.

Double hip surgery in 2015 meant a lot of time on the sidelines for the big man, whose 2016 Super Rugby season was also disrupted by a hand injury. He returned to the All Blacks side playing five Tests in 2016 and made a welcome return in 2017 for the back half of the Investec Rugby Championship and the Vista Northern Tour.

Tuipulotu plays for the notable Ponsonby club in Auckland, the same club as All Blacks teammate Rieko Ioane.

Patrick Tuipulotu NEWS

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Whitelock calls on 2011 Canada memories as All Blacks prepare

It may be lock Sam Whitelock's third Rugby World Cup tournament with the All Blacks but if he has learnt one lesson it is that every opponent had to be respected.

All Blacks turn kicking pressure back on Springboks for win

Applying the tactic of hitting their opponent at their supposed point of strength, their kicking game, the All Blacks broke the shackles South Africa had applied in recent games to claim a 23-13 win in their Rugby World Cup pool opener in Yokohama on Saturday.

World Cup or not All Blacks always under pressure

It may be a World Cup but that didn't change the pressure involved in being an All Black.

Third tournament but Whitelock feels the excitement

All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock has played 19 Tests against South Africa in his career but is just as excited about his 20th in the World Cup opener on Saturday as he was about his first in Auckland in 2010.

Blues leaders step up for Reds challenge

Heading to Brisbane to play the Reds in their Investec Super Rugby game on Friday without All Blacks Rieko Ioane and Patrick Tuipulotu, the remaining Blues leadership group had stepped up for the challenge.

Pragmatic Hurricanes pick off Blues

Patience in large doses proved the matchwinner for a Hurricanes side who beat a disappointing Blues team 22-12 in their Investec Super Rugby game at Eden Park on Friday.

Errors deny Blues chance to halt streak

Unable to end their hex at the hands of the Chiefs in Investec Super Rugby, the Blues, who lost 29-33 in Hamilton on Saturday, needed to seal opportunities and eliminate key errors.

Blues get another start from Rieko Ioane

Facing the Waratahs at Eden Park on Saturday, the Blues will be looking to ride their recent wave of Investec Super Rugby success and will have All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane on board for the contest.

Blues' belief starts to shine through

Growing belief in the Blues system was the reward in their 24-9 Investec Super Rugby win over the Stormers in Auckland on Sunday.

Blues break NZ franchise hoodoo

Beating the Highlanders 33-26 in their Investec Super Rugby game at Eden Park on Friday, the Blues ended a 20-game streak without success over New Zealand franchises.

Rampant All Blacks finish season on a high

Putting 10 tries on Italy, the All Blacks bounced back from their Ireland loss by taking a 66-3 win in Rome with new wing Jordie Barrett leading the assault when running in four tries.

'A good day for New Zealand rugby' - Hansen

'A good day for New Zealand rugby' was All Blacks coach Steve Hansen's view on the 69-31 win over Japan in Tokyo on Saturday.

All Blacks benefit from forced changes

In a perfect world All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock could have expected to play about 30 minutes against Argentina in Nelson on Saturday, instead he ended up playing around 70 minutes.

Hansen expects historic challenge to lift Boks

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus believes his side's underdog status will make preparing to play the All Blacks easier in Wellington on Saturday but New Zealand coach Steve Hansen knows the strength of the old rivalry will make South Africa dangerous.

Tuipulotu hat-trick takes Auckland to top of table

Welcome back Patrick Tuipulotu.

Patrick Tuipulotu Videos

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PLAYER REACTION: All Blacks v South Africa (Yokohama)

Get the lowdown from the players following the opening RWC2019 victory over...

The Breakdown: Are the All Blacks ready for RWC2019?

Jeff Wilson, Grant Fox, Sir John Kirwan, John Plumtree and Ali Williams discuss...

Game day review with Patrick Tuipulotu

2014 Steinlager Series - Meet the new All Blacks

James Somerset chats with the 2 new players named in the All Blacks squad to...