All Blacks: Patrick Tuipulotu keen to avoid unwanted first which ‘plays in the back of your head’
All Blacks second-row Patrick Tuipulotu in action against England.
Patrick Tuipulotu is determined not to become the first All Blacks captain to suffer a loss against Japan, but conceded that it “plays in the back of your head”.
With regular skipper and fellow second-row Scott Barrett not included in the matchday squad, Tuipulotu will become the 82nd player to captain the All Blacks at Test level when they take on the Brave Blossoms in Yokohama.
Tuipulotu will run out his 47th Test appearance in Saturday’s clash and is aware that Japan will be eager to make history by beating the All Blacks, but said his side are in the right frame of mind to prevent that from occurring.
Wary of Brave Blossoms threat
“That often plays in the back of your head but as we say in camp, you’re always preparing for the next Test match,” he told reporters. “Whether you’ve won or lost or drawn the previous Test match, preparation should never change.
“The Japan team has never won against an All Blacks side and we certainly don’t want to be the first team to let them have that scalp.”
Although All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has rested most of his first choice players for this fixture, there’s a good mix of youth and experience in their ranks.
Tuipulotu revealed that the three-time world champions have not deviated from their usual preparations and they are ready to face the Brave Blossoms challenge head on.
“I haven’t had to change much other than having to lead a bit more in the huddles and at team stuff,” he said. “I suppose more of the work will be done in-game.
“Having said that, this group’s been a dream, pretty much.
‘I haven’t had too much input’
“Everyone has done their role and I haven’t had too much input in terms of being skip this week.”
The Blues stalwart made his All Blacks debut 10 years ago and is looking forward to leading the team for the first time.
“To be thought of as having the guts to do it, I’m very proud of the work I’ve done up to this moment,” he said.
“But it’s like any other game, I’ve got to play well to lead well, that’s my philosophy in terms of how I can serve the others in this team.
“Leadership is nothing new for me.”
