KEY POINTS:
Rugby players are often accused of giving little thought to a future career. That charge cannot be laid against Blues wing Anthony Tuitavake but his planning should not be an indication, either, that he is winding down his playing days.
Far from it. The pinball bumper-back in the Blues is only 25 and has dreams of emulating those from his Massey club such as Ron Cribb and Troy Flavell who graduated to the All Black test jersey.
Tuitavake has worn the black jersey, when he collected a gold medal as part of New Zealand's victorious sevens side at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002, while he has also been part of the national under-19 squad and the Junior All Blacks.
He has played mainly centre for his North Harbour province but this season has been used on the wing for the Blues where his speed, heavy tackling and ability to bounce out of tackles and make play for others, has been an important ingredient in the Super 14.
"Oh, if you're asked to play somewhere and given your opportunity and play enough there, then you do your best and say this is where my opportunities lie," he said with his trademark laugh. "At the moment my opportunity has come on the wing and I am loving it.
"I have a feeling that with the depth we have in midfield, all my chances are going to come out wide."
That is also a selection hotspot in the Blues with Joe Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf and David Smith all in the mix this weekend against the Bulls as Tuitavake is spelled to recharge for the second half of the competition.
"There's a lot of work out on the wing because if you are not given the ball you are working off the ball and there's a great deal of running to do. You have to be really fit and I have managed to get in good shape because I managed to get through the pre-season stuff without any injuries."
At times Tuitavake resembles a dodgem in heavy traffic, a parallel which amuses a young man who wants to be part of the force in future.
Tuitavake admits he has had a few harmless run-ins with the law about driving offences but those experiences have made an impression on the amiable utility back.
"I was not doing anything wrong but I got pulled over for a few checks and some of them were quite rude," he recalled. "I just thought this is not the way it should be. They're dealing with people everyday so they should show a bit of respect, and if they do, they will get it back. You know, everyone sort of does not like police officers but I want to try and help change that because there is much more good than bad in the force."
Tuitavake has been getting the rundown on IT courses, first-aid training, swimming instruction and other skills he can build up before he winds down his rugby career and heads to police school.
"I have just had a meeting with the police to find out what things I can do now to help prepare me for life after rugby when I want to join up. That has been another dream I have had for a while and I just want to try and prepare for that.
"I always had that idea when I was growing up. Just the things I have seen growing up and trying to have an effect on the youth in my community.
"I just felt I really wanted to help people."
