While playing down the underdogs tag, Patrick Tuipulotu has acknowledged the “reality” of what the All Blacks will face against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
A veteran of the 2019 World Cup, the 57-cap lock led the All Blacks in their tour opening win over the Stormers and started in last week’s victory in Pretoria.
Fronting the media on Monday ahead of the opening Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, Tuipulotu said the match intensity will be a big step up from the club fixtures.
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“The most obvious thing is having a real reality check around what we’re coming up against,” he explained. “Our coaches have been good in terms of acknowledging that we’ve had three games against club sides here, but the Test match now awaits us and there’s a different intensity that comes with that.”
The 33-year-old, though, rejected the idea that New Zealand – the second ranked team in the world behind Rassie Erasmus’ Boks – are lesser than foes.
“No, it doesn’t feel like we’re underdogs. It does feel like the two best teams are going head to head at the moment and trying to fight for that No 1 spot. World Cups aside, this feels like a final for us.”
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The Blues second-rower is in line to tackle the formidable Eben Etzebeth, and Tuipulotu insisted it’s “where you want to be”.
“You want to test yourself against the best. The Springbok pack is pretty renowned, so excited and looking forward to that challenge.”
He believes the Kiwi tourists have developed over their three wins against the Stormers, Sharks and Vodacom Bulls.
“Having all 43 or 44 of us across the game plan and how we want to play has been pretty big for us. There’s been some steady improvement,” he added. “We know the Springboks are another step up from all of that.
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“We’ve had a big two weeks and three games, and it’s been good. Everyone has had a chance to play and, as we start the Test series, it’s all hands on deck.
“Getting everyone’s focus zoned in for a Test match against the Springboks is pretty important for us.”
On his experience of what it takes to beat the four-time world champions, Tuipulotu noted: “It’s around discipline. You could be pinned down in the corner trying to stop them and sort of get a winning try.
“A lot of those come down to those sort of mental decisions in the last few minutes, when the game’s on the line. But certainly around set-piece, being physical, intensity and staying on for 80-plus minutes.”
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post Tuipulotu: This feels like a final for us appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
While playing down the underdogs tag, Patrick Tuipulotu has acknowledged the “reality” of what the All Blacks will face against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The post Tuipulotu: This feels like a final for us appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
