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Patrick Tuipulotu to miss 2022 Super Rugby in new deal with NZR

(Photo by Greg Bowker / AFP) (Photo by GREG BOWKER/AFP via Getty Images)

All Blacks lock and Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu has inked a long-term deal with New Zealand Rugby [NZR] and the Blues, which will see him leave for a playing sabbatical in Japan before returning home.

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The 28-year-old, who has played 38 tests since making his All Blacks debut in 2014, has signed a long-term contract through to 2025 for both club and country – the first All Black to do so.

He will head to Japan later in the year after the All Blacks campaign, miss the Super Rugby season next year and return to New Zealand mid-year.

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Tuipulotu said while there was a desire to experience playing overseas, he and his family wanted to live in New Zealand long-term.

“In some ways winning the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title has made my decision easier, because we have got that monkey off our backs at the Blues. It was a hard decision because the Blues as a group have developed so well.

“I am excited for the new experience overseas and will be doing my best. Equally, I will be looking forward to returning to the Blues and my home in Auckland.

“I have big goals that I want to achieve both for my country and the Blues in the future.

“I am honoured that NZR and the Blues have shown so much faith in me, and this provides security for my family over the next few years to the likely end of my career.”

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All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said: “Patrick has gone from strength to strength in recent years, both on the field and maybe more importantly, off the field.  He is held in high esteem by his peers, and has a strong, quiet strength about him.

“Whilst it’s sad to see him go in the short-term, we’re delighted that he has committed through to 2025.”

Blues chief executive Andrew Hore said the club supported Tuipulotu’s plan to play in Japan.

“It will be a tremendous experience for him. We recognise that the recompense to play overseas is significant and a key opportunity for Patrick and his family,” he said.

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“As we did with Beauden [Barrett] this year, we will plan for it, fill the gap as best we can, and look forward to his return in 2023 for a further three years.

“Patrick is a cornerstone of our playing group and I am sure the boys will want to do the job for him while he is away.”

Tuipulotu is expected to confirm his overseas club in the coming weeks.  Meanwhile, the Blues said they would name their captain for the 2022 Super Rugby season when the squad comes back together at the end of the year.

– New Zealand Rugby

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RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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