Tuitupou up for Air New Zealand Cup challenge

Sam Tuitupou

When Sam Tuitupou got a call from Auckland coach Pat Lam shortly before flying out to Argentina with the All Blacks, he probably figured it was a good luck message.

So when Lam told the hard-charging second five-eighth he wanted him to be captain for the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup "I started laughing".

Justin Collins led Auckland to the national domestic title last year but things have changed in the interim, with a new competition, involving a new format and Collins heading back to Northland.

Tuitupou, who had a powerful Super 14 season with the Chiefs, might not seem the obvious first choice for the job.

But he has led New Zealand at under 16, under 19 and Colts level so he's far from a complete novice. And he's had his share of success too, the latter teams both winning their respective world championships under Tuitupou in 2001 and 2003.

And considering there's a cluster of young players in the Auckland team, Tuitupou's name had to be on a shortlist for Lam to ponder.

"I'm honoured and privileged and I'm keen for a new challenge," Tuitupou said. He reckons his style will be "to play my own game and lead by example". I've got lots of people round me to talk to so I'm really looking forward to it."

There are four newcomers in the 27-strong squad named yesterday. Three are backs - wing David Smith, fullback Chris Mahony and fullback-five-eighth utility Lachie Munro - along with prop Tevita Mailau. Loose forward Joe Tekori made his debut two years ago but has been missing since then through injury.

Auckland head to the Pacific Islands on Thursday - minus Tuitupou, who was last night called up for the All Black squad for Saturday's opening Tri-Nations test against Australia in Christchurch - for games against a Fiji invitation XV in Lautoka on Saturday and the Samoan national side in Apia on July 15.

Halfback Steve Devine and hooker Derren Witcombe are back after lengthy injury breaks and Andrew Blowers will be itching for action after missing the Highlanders Super 14 campaign through injury.

Despite the absence of several All Blacks, there are still 10 players who have worn black in the squad. Auckland, who are grouped in pool A, kick off their campaign against Manawatu in Palmerston North on July 29. The other teams in their pool are Taranaki, Wellington, Tasman, North Harbour and Bay of Plenty.

* All Black Troy Flavell is one of three players ruled out of the Auckland team. Flavell, who appeared in both Irish tests last month, is to have shoulder surgery, but might be in the frame for the All Blacks end-of-year tour to the Northern Hemisphere.

The others are loose forward Angus MacDonald, recovering from a knee injury, and wing Tony Koonwaiyou, with shin problems.


AUCKLAND SQUAD

Backs: Brent Ward, James Somerset, David Smith, Isa Nacewa, Chris Mahony, Jamie Helleur, Ben Atiga, Sam Tuitupou (c), Lachie Munro, Tasesa Lavea, Taniela Moa, Steve Devine.

Forwards: Onosai Tololima-Auva'a, Daniel Braid, Andrew Blowers, Jerome Kaino, Joe Tekori, Brad Mika, Kurtis Haiu, Jay Williams, John Afoa, Nick White, Tevita Mailau, Saimone Taumoepeau, Chris Heard, Derren Witcombe, Lance Poching.