Blues utility Anthony Tuitavake says that he has had a mind shift as he starts what will be his fifth season of Super Rugby as he sees himself as a wing rather than a midfield player.
The talented back liner Tuitavake has won most of his caps for North Harbour, the Highlanders and the Blues playing in the middle of the field rather than the sides of the field.
Last year he won six call ups for the All Blacks and this has encouraged the 26-year-old to put work in on his wing skills.
The timing is pretty good for Tuitavake as Blues wing Rudi Wulf has broken a wrist and his fellow All Black Joe Rokocoko awaiting the birth of his first child so Tuitavake is sure to be named frequently on the wing while the other two ar out of action.
The Blues are currently in Perth preparing for the opening clash against the Western Force in Perth on Friday night and then head to South Africa to play the Bulls and Stormers.
“I’ve gone towards being more of a wing mainly because I have been exposed to that level of coaching and what they are looking for and what specific things they want out of me,” Tuitavake said of his first year with the All Blacks.
Tuitavake was brought in for the All Blacks to cover a wing shortage early on in the Test season and failed to set the world alight which led to Richard Kahui being brought in out of position to play on the wing.
He did however keep his place for the end of year tour and looked more and more comfortable as the season wore on.
“I wanted to be a centre but my opportunity arose as a wing and I think I’ll just push along with that.
“In saying that if opportunities do come in the centres I want to have the ability to slot in there and work those skills there as well,” he told Stuff whilst being aware that versatility is a massive asset in squad scenarios.
“The tour was awesome. I learnt a lot as a wing ‘ I have a page full of stuff to work on. Now I just what to put all of that into practice, I need to implement all of that into this season.
“It’s come around pretty quickly. Having been on that tour and had a full season I can now appreciate what they say about taking a break because you can get bogged down mentally and physically.
“But I have had my balance right. I had an awesome summer and I’m feeling refreshed ‘ I’m ready to rock and roll really.”
Tuitavake started his Super Rugby career as draft player with the Highlanders where he made 10 appearances in 2005 but has now gone on to rack up 31 caps for the Blues over the last three seasons.
He is now one of the senior’s in the Blues squad under Pat Lam and this is heightened by his All Black status but the man himself that his Test status is often forgotten.
“It’s funny I still forget that I’m an All Black. Then when there’s a meeting here and they call for the All Blacks I realise that’s me as well,” he chuckles.
“Being in that environment there are things you learn there that you want to bring back here to help everyone. It’s about encouraging them to work to a high standard.”
Looking ahead at the task of starting on the road again as they did last year Tuitavake knows the Blues will have to get up to speed quickly but he sees some real positives in getting away early in the championship.
“A lot of people have talked about the challenge of going away. We know that but we have looked beyond that, it’s part of being professional.
“You have to go away, do the job and come back. We have got a young team and I think to go away is going to be good for us to gel together, get to know each other a bit more and we can come back and really kick on from there.”
Tuitavake is also positive about the coaching setup of Pat Lam and Shane Howarth who are both new to the Blues.
“Pat has been good … it’s been refreshing. He has got good structures, he addresses the boys well.”
