Cam Roigard speaks about returning to rugby and the All Blacks squad following his knee injury six months ago. Video / Alyse Wright
Patrick Tuipulotu will become the All Blacks’ 82nd captain on Saturday against Japan and his coach says it’s a matter of mana.
The Blues skipper was instrumental in breaking his side’s 21-year Super Rugby title drought this year and while he is undoubtedly a key cog in on-field performance for any team he suits up for, Robertson said it’s as much the respect he garners in the All Blacks environment as any aspect of his play that earned him the captain’s nod.
“The first thing is you need mana in the group and Patrick’s got plenty of that.”
Renowned for doing most of his talking on the paddock, the All Blacks coach said he understood what the moment meant to Tuipulotu, despite it being a short phone call.
“He’s a man of few words and when I asked him he didn’t say too many words at all, but you could tell how pleased and honoured he was,” Robertson said.
“He went and reflected with his family and gave me a call back. He said yes straight away, by the way, but it was more just reflective of it and just appreciative of that opportunity.”
109 Super Rugby appearances and 46 All Blacks caps to date are more than enough reasons for the All Blacks to follow their new captain into battle at Yokohama Stadium, Robertson said.
“The respect in the group for what he’s done and he’s been around for a long time and I think the boys will follow him.”
Patrick Tuipulotu will become the 82nd All Blacks' captain on Saturday against Japan. Photo / Photosport
Two of those looking to Tuipulotu for an example in particular will be potential test debutants Peter Lakai and Reuben Love, named in their first All Blacks match-day squad on Tuesday.
Robertson said Lakai has taken to the All Blacks northern tour camp with vigour after spending time with the team earlier in the year.
“Peter’s slipped straight in, we had him in [for] a week earlier in the year and [he’s] a hell of a humble young kid. Incredible athlete as we know, he’s slotted right in.”
Fellow Hurricane Love has been with the All Blacks for the Rugby Championship but is yet to make an appearance, Robertson said having him in the camp for an extended period means he’s well-prepared to don the black jersey.
“Ruben has been training with us for the majority of the year so it’s a really good opportunity for him to represent the country.”
Other notable inclusions to the All Blacks squad to face Japan are the returns of Cam Roigard and Stephen Perofeta from injuries, named to start at halfback and fullback respectively.
Damian McKenzie is back at No 10 after being moved to the bench for the Rugby Championship-ender against Australia in Wellington.
Sam Cane and Wallace Sititi retain their starting spots, albeit with the latter shifting from No 6 to the back of the scrum, as Samipeni Finau completes the loose forward trio.
Pasilio Tosi will make his first test start, as part of a new-look front row alongside Tamaiti Williams and Asafo Aumua. Sam Darry is also back among the run-on squad, partnering his club and now country captain.
Another return sees Billy Proctor don the 13 jersey for just the second time after standing out on debut against Fiji but not making a side since – he partners Anton Lienert-Brown in midfield.
On the wings, Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece both have the chance to prove themselves as starters, after Caleb Clarke has established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet in the No 11 jersey.
No Barrett brothers have been named in the All Blacks squad for the first time since the 73-0 demolition of Uruguay at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in October.
All Blacks squad to face Japan, Yokohama Stadium, Saturday 26 October, kickoff 6.50pm NZT
All Blacks: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Sam Darry 5. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Mark Tele’a, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: 16. George Bell, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. David Havili, 23. Ruben Love
Will Toogood is an online sports editor for the NZ Herald. He enjoys watching people chase a ball around on a grass surface so much he decided to make a living out of it.
