Tuitavake keeping it cool
May 21 2008
Blues utility back Anthony Tuitavake is refusing to get carried away by talk of a possible All Black call-up to take on Ireland and England in June.
Tuitavake, in debriefing mode this week after the Blues failed to make the Super 14 semi-finals, has been tipped as a new cap at centre when the All Black squad is named on June 1.
The Sunday News newspaper apparently managed to obtain team information it really shouldn't have with headline news claiming to be that of the centre partnership of this year's preferred Test team, which sees Tuitavake twinned with Stephen Brett in the middle.
But the player himself described a newspaper report that had him pencilled in for the number thirteen jersey as mere speculation.
"It's nice, but at the end of the day, it's all speculation and just people's opinion," Tuitavake told NZPA.
"Until the team gets named, I'm just like any other person and waiting to see what happens."
He said he hadn't had any contact with the All Black selectors.
Despite the Blues' rollercoaster and ultimately unfulfilled campaign, Tuitavake has been in impressive form, whether at wing, where he began the season, or at centre.
His performances on the wing had him being spoken of as a possible test replacement for Super 14 team-mate Joe Rokocoko, who is recovering from wrist surgery.
For the last four matches, coach David Nucifora moved him to centre in place of All Black Isaia Toeava and he continued to show sharp form.
Tuitavake's own preference is to continue having a crack at wing, saying he was beginning to find his feet there before he was shifted inside.
He admitted to having been a bit nervous when he resumed at centre, not having played there for some time.
"Replacing a class player like Isaia is pretty tough," he said.
"But it's just like riding a bike. You jump in there and the guys around you help you."
Tuitavake was reasonably pleased with how he had gone this year, his assessment of his own performances always being tempered by his focus on what he need to improve.
"I probably look at things I didn't do to the best of my ability," he said, citing handling under pressure, retaining the ball going into contact and overall defence.
"I had a few hiccups."
He rated his improved consistency week-in week-out as one of the plusses.
"Doing the basics - just catching, passing, running and trying to break tackles - is what I try to bring every week," said Tuitavake.
"Consistency has been a factor for me this season."
Tuitavake, 25, is contracted with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) until the end of the year.
Staying in New Zealand rather than joining the player drain overseas was the likely choice when his contract ran out.
"There's definitely opportunities elsewhere," he said, "but I want to stick around for a little bit."
Nucifora had no doubts Tuitavake could make the step up to test rugby, either at wing or centre.
"He will do a good job wherever he's put," said Nucifora.
"We used him in both positions over the last couple of seasons. That's more a question of balance within the team that's been selected."