All Blacks

PLAYER PROFILE

Patrick Tuipulotu

Lock

KEY STATS

UPDATED

AGE

27

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

View all

Staying fit in off-season paying dividends for Blues skipper Patrick Tuipulotu

Last year, Patrick Tuipulotu was unhappy with his fitness, so he made a vow to come back fitter in 2020. So far, it’s paid off.

Faiane steps up to lead Blues

Evidence of TJ Faiane's growing development in the Blues structure has been provided with his selection as captain for Saturday's Investec Super Rugby game against the Lions at Eden Park.

Tuipulotu wants his Blues to forge their own path

Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu and his management group have been keen to forge their future and Saturday's Investec Super Rugby game with the Hurricanes in Wellington would be another step for the side.

Umaga believes Blues can advance in 2020

Blues assistant coach Tana Umaga believes the side is capable of making more of an impact in Investec Super Rugby in 2020.

Tuipulotu embraces Blues leadership role

Sole charge captaincy for the Blues has been embraced by lock Patrick Tuipulotu and he believes he can provide the stimulus for an improved Investec Super Rugby effort in 2020.

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.

More carbs the key to Tuipulotu boost

Something as basic as a dietary adjustment on game day mornings may prove one of the most important lessons All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has learned in the game.

World Cup challenge embraced by All Blacks

Completing the most difficult squad selection any coach faces before a Rugby World Cup, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen's first thought after the 2019 side was named on Wednesday was for the players who had missed out.

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.

Scrafton relishing chance for action

It wasn't hard to tell Blues lock Scott Scrafton was making the most of a rare opportunity for game time when coming on as a replacement for Josh Goodhue in last week's Investec Super Rugby game against the Hurricanes.

Blues have twin goals against Chiefs

Needing a win over the Chiefs to not only keep their Investec Super Rugby playoff hopes alive, the Blues also want to put an end to one of the more frustrating statistics mounting against them.

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.

Competition, enjoyment boost Blues' revival

Knowing the Waratahs would be looking for a pick-me-up win after their loss to the Sunwolves, the Blues will be ready for a full-on effort at Eden Park in their Investec Super Rugby game on Saturday.

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 ready for determined Stormers

Looking to build on their last two successes the Blues are expecting the Stormers to try and move them around the field to break them up in their Investec Super Rugby game at Eden Park on Saturday.

Patrick Tuipulotu Videos

View all

What I'm doing in my bubble: Patrick Tuipulotu

From keeping fit to learning more about the Samoan language, Patty T shows you...

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...