Patrick Tuipulotu

Patrick Tuipulotu is a New Zealand lock whose leadership at the Blues and long involvement with the All Blacks have established him as one of the more recognisable second-row forwards of his generation. Born on 23 January 1993, he has combined physical authority with lineout craft to shape a senior career built across more than a decade of top-flight rugby. Tuipulotu's game is anchored in set-piece excellence. He is a trusted lineout caller and operator who takes responsibility for his own ball and competes aggressively against opposition throws, and his scrum work gives the Blues a stable base through the middle of the pack. He carries with physical intent in the tight channels and brings a strong tackle profile, offering the mix of power and reliability expected of an elite Super Rugby lock. As captain of the Blues, he has driven the franchise's return to Super Rugby silverware, lifting the competition and anchoring a forward pack competing at the top of the southern hemisphere club game. That leadership profile has made him one of the most influential figures in Auckland rugby. At international level, Tuipulotu has accumulated a significant body of Test-match rugby with the All Blacks across successive selection cycles. That experience underlines his standing within New Zealand's engine room and marks him as a senior voice in the country's forward picture.