All Blacks’ Patrick Tuipulotu: Metal-Laden Lock Eyes Super Rugby Return

Auckland, New Zealand – Patrick Tuipulotu, the Blues and All Blacks lock, faces a familiar challenge: simply staying on the field. The 33-year-old’s body has become a testament to years of physical battles, now containing so much metal from previous surgeries that it triggers airport security alarms.

Tuipulotu addressed the issue candidly at the Super Rugby Pacific season launch in Auckland yesterday, stating, “To try to stay on the field,” is his primary focus. His injury list is extensive, including a recent shoulder problem requiring surgery late last year. He’s expected to be sidelined until around round nine of Super Rugby, approximately April 11.

The shoulder injury, revealed after his inclusion in the All Blacks’ November tour squad, involves a donor’s hamstring tendon securing his AC joint. This is just the latest addition to a collection of internal hardware. Tuipulotu also has a metal plate in his forehead, the result of a severe injury sustained in Cordoba last year, plates in his jaw (following surgery in 2013), and a steel rod in one arm. He even endured a fractured jaw in 2024, though it didn’t necessitate surgical intervention, prompting a typically pragmatic response: “This one isn’t too bad.”

Despite the accumulation of injuries, Tuipulotu maintains a wry sense of humor. “I can’t have sabbaticals – I just get injured so that’s my time off,” he remarked. The steel rod in his arm is a frequent source of amusement, regularly setting off metal detectors during air travel.

His return to play is currently “on track, it’s a slow grind at the moment,” and he anticipates a welcoming reception from Blues head coach Vern Cotter, who is in his final season with the franchise, and the future All Blacks head coach. Tuipulotu is contracted with the Blues through the end of the 2028 Super Rugby season, demonstrating the team’s continued faith in his abilities.

Tuipulotu’s experience and physical presence will be crucial for the All Blacks, particularly with an eye toward the 2026 World Cup in Australia and the upcoming tour of South Africa in August and September. The All Blacks’ second-row depth is bolstered by players like Scott Barrett, Fabian Holland, and Tupou Vaa’i, providing a solid foundation for the incoming head coach.

The Blues’ captain’s leadership is also considered a significant asset as the All Blacks navigate a rebuilding phase. The team will need that leadership as they prepare for the Super Rugby season, aiming to improve upon last year’s performance where they lost five of their first six games before reaching the semifinals, ultimately falling to the Crusaders.

Tuipulotu acknowledged the team’s slow start in 2025, attributing it in part to the late return of several All Blacks from international duty. “We had a few All Blacks, myself included, who came back last year a bit underdone and it didn’t pay off very well for us in those earlier rounds,” he said. “We’re aware of that now and have made it clear we need to start well.”

He emphasized the importance of team chemistry and building momentum early in the season. “When you start winning you get on a roll and it highlights how positive the season can be.” Tuipulotu also noted that opponents had adapted their strategies based on previous encounters with the Blues, highlighting the need for innovation and continued physicality.

“Every team got better last year and it will be the same this year as well. We need to find different ways but still be that physical team in the tight.”

The Blues will begin their Super Rugby Pacific campaign on February 14 against the Chiefs at Eden Park, following a pre-season match against the Crusaders at Onewa Domain tomorrow afternoon.