Japan in Tuipulotu's head
SPOTLIGHT: New All Blacks captain Patrick Tuipulotu said he’s determined not to become the first New Zealand skipper to suffer defeat at the hands of Japan.
The lock admitted that it ‘plays in the back of your head’ as the Blues skipper will wear the captain’s armband for the first time at Test level against Japan in Yokohama on Saturday – with Scott Barrett not named in the matchday squad.
The visitors are tipped as hot favourites to win before embarking on their European tour where they will face successive Tests against England, Ireland, France and Italy respectively.
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Tuipulotu is aware that Japan have the opportunity to claim a historic scalp, but he believes that his team have the correct mindset to prevent an upset from occuring.
“That often plays in the back of your head but as we say in camp, you’re always preparing for the next Test match,” said the 31-year-old.
“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.”
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Tuipulotu leads a New Zealand outfit featuring a mix of youth and experience – with Sam Cane earning his 101st cap and Anton Lienert-Brown his 80th.
The new captain stated that his match preparations have been ‘not really different’ from his usual routine and that the players are ‘ready to go’.
“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.
“Everyone has done their role and I haven’t had too much input in terms of being skip this week.”
Tuipulotu made his All Blacks debut in 2014 off the bench against England and will earn his 47th Test cap against Japan.
He said he’d ‘seen a lot of leaders come through’ during his tenure as a Test player.
“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,” he added.
