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Blues make captaincy change ahead of 2020 Super Rugby campaign
The Blues will head into the new Super Rugby season with just one captain at the helm of the squad after All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu was named as skipper on Wednesday.
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The 26-year-old was named outright captain of the 2020 squad after having previously shared the duty with loose forward Blake Gibson.
“It’s my home town, home province,” Tuipulotu said to media following the announcement of his appointment.
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“I’m pretty honoured and privileged to again lead this team, it’s obviously different circumstances the time round, with myself solely.
“But in saying that, I’ve got a good group of guys behind me, who are going to help me out throughout the year.”
One challenge that Tuipulotu faces as a leader in a younger, less experienced Blues squad compared to last year is that he won’t be able to call on the support of departed veterans such as Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams or ex-captain Augustine Pulu.
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Regardless, the 30-test international said taking the leadership reins was an offer he couldn’t refuse from Blues head coach Leon MacDonald.
“I was never going to say no if the coaches asked me,” he added.
“Leon approached me and told me what was the go and I thought I was happy with that, it’s a new challenge, it’s different but I’ll take it heads on.
“This is where I want to be and that’s another driving factor in why I took it.”
Tuipulotu will likely get his first match as the club’s sole captain next Friday when the Blues host the Chiefs at Eden Park in the first match of the new Super Rugby season.
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