Tuitavake grateful for another crack
New Zealand winger Anthony Tuitavake is hoping his second run for the All Blacks will be a more memorable affair when he lines up against England at his home ground in Auckland on Saturday.
New Zealand winger Anthony Tuitavake is hoping his second run for the All Blacks will be a more memorable affair when he lines up against England at his home ground in Auckland on Saturday.
As far as All Black Test debuts go, it was a rugby experience that left the Blues flyer cold.
What should have been the highlight of his career turned into a damp squib of an evening in Wellington last Saturday – a 49-minute ordeal where he was more likely to catch hypothermia than a scoring pass against Ireland.
Tuitavake reckoned he had three touches of the ball – hardly the makings of a great first impression.
So the 26-year-old was mighty relieved to be given a second chance against England this weekend.
While it was a thrill to be named, receive his first jersey and participate in the pre-test Haka and anthems, Tuitavake admits he was soon all at sea on Westpac Stadium.
In some ways, it feels like his Test career might actually start this weekend.
“You can say that in some terms,” Tuitavake told NZPA.
“It was a bit disappointing because you want more ball to express yourself.
“In your debut you want to run around a bit more so I'm definitely looking forward to this week.”
Tuitavake understandably does not reflect too positively on his match, though in mitigation a southerly change half an hour before kick-off counted against him.
“As a wing all the elements were against you, it's the worst conditions you could hope for,” he said.
“It was so cold I thought if someone kicked the ball into my fingers they would have snapped off.”
Fortunately the Irish were sympathetic enough not to bother – Tuitavake basically recovered kicks that had generally sailed into touch before he was replaced by Leon MacDonald.
“When I sat on the sideline, it was even worse. I was soaked and the blankets were all wet,” recalls Tuitavake.
“In a way it would have been nice to stay on but that's how it went.”
Tuitavake was relieved the All Blacks selectors opted for an unchanged back-line and hoped to make the most of greater opportunities.
“I'm just happy to get another crack,” the junior member of the All Blacks back three said.
His offsiders Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu have been supportive since he joined the squad but Tuitavake, who is keeping provincial team-mate and debutant-in-waiting Rudi Wulf at bay, realised help also must come from above at Eden Park.
He hadn't checked the long-range weather forecast but was hopeful lightning would not strike twice.
“Auckland always puts on a good show,” he said.