Decision to leave important All Black in New Zealand explained by assistant coach.
The decision to leave Patrick Tuipulotu in New Zealand, with Blues lock Sam Darry entering the fray to face Fiji, has been addressed by All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald.
After two extremely violent and bone-jarring Test matches in Auckland and Dunedin against England, New Zealand selectors have decided to “look after” Tuipulotu.
During the Blues’ quarterfinal victory against the Fijian Drua, Tuipulotu, 31, sustained a knee injury that was first thought to signal the end of his Super Rugby Pacific season. Two weeks later, though, the lock was magically named in the starting lineup for their chance at glory.
When Tuipulotu onto the field at Eden Park for the Grand Final against the Chiefs, the crowd gave him a standing ovation and a thunderous roar when he was replaced halfway through the second period. It was a classic captain’s knock.
Tuipulotu, who was included in Scott Robertson’s inaugural All Blacks team, started as the No. 5 jumper in both of the Test matches against England. Tuipulotu, however, has not been to San Diego, USA, with the team because they still have one game to play before The Rugby Championship next month.
“Patrick Tuipolotu’s decision was based on his overall physical fitness,” Leon MacDonald said to reporters on Monday.
His comeback to the final is well known to you. He rolled his ankle with a knee during that game, and he then made two tremendous efforts against the really strong England pack.
“Sam Darry is coming to give him a little break because we feel like we need to take care of him a little bit.”
The All Blacks have given the imposing lock on the plane to San Diego to 23-year-old Sam Darry as a thank you for a fantastic season with the champion Blues.
Darry, the lock, was injured during the Super Rugby season and did not play until round nine against the Brumbies. He had started the first two games of the competition. After rejoining the team, the New Zealander went on to start nine games this year, including the Grand Final.
Now, Darry might make his debut in the renowned black jersey when New Zealand plays Mick Byrne’s Fiji on Saturday lunchtime (NZT) at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
“This young man is extremely talented. His injury problems have limited his playing time, but he has demonstrated that the more rugby he plays, the better he gets, according to MacDonald.
As a coaching group, we must say that Sam has truly impressed us. He’s just flourished here, and his shared work ethic and tenacity have really pleased us.
“So, it’s true that he deserves to be here on this tour.”
Darry and a few more currently uncapped players may make their Test debuts. Billy Proctor, a center for the Hurricanes, has been a persistent candidate this season, and it appears that his performance this weekend could pay off.
Yes, Billy is excellent.
“I particularly liked Billy’s style of play when I saw him coach All Blacks XV for the first time.
He has the skill set and work ethic of any midfielder, and he’s also a terrific student of the game.
Thus, he is indeed exerting tremendous effort and waiting for his chance to play.
And you know, he’s a player that, in my opinion, would handle test rugby rather well.