Tuipulotu stays with NZR, Blues through 2028
- Dave Worsley
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Patrick Tuipulotu is staying with the Blues and New Zealand Rugby (NZR), until the end of the 2028 Super Rugby Pacific season
One of the most respected figures in New Zealand rugby and cornerstone of the Blues forward pack, Tuipulotu’s presence will remain central to the team’s ambitions.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Tuipulotu, who made his debut for the Blues in 2014, has since amassed over 100 caps for the club and established himself as one of the most dominant locks in Super Rugby.
“This club is home. I care deeply about the people, the jersey, and what it represents,” said Tuipulotu.
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but I believe there’s still more to come. I’m excited about the future and honoured to lead this team into the next chapter.”
Standing at 1.98m, his imposing physicality and relentless work rate have long made him a key figure in both the Blues and All Blacks environments.
After taking on the full-time captaincy in 2020, Tuipulotu has helped shape the culture of the club, culminating in the historic 2024 Super Rugby Pacific title.
Despite suffering a serious injury late in the season, Tuipulotu returned in time to lead the team to victory in the Grand Final, a performance that epitomised his grit and character.
Now aged 32, Tuipulotu’s journey began at St Peter’s College in Auckland before rising through the New Zealand Schools and Under 20s programmes. He made his All Blacks debut in 2014.
Off the field, Tuipulotu has also been instrumental within the community as founder of the Blues Charitable Trust (BCT), a youth development charity on a mission to help rangatahi (young people) make informed choices and build brighter, more successful futures.
Blues CEO Andrew Hore said Tuipulotu’s re-signing represents much more than a just a contract extension.
“Patrick is the heartbeat of this team. He leads with integrity, plays with passion, and gives everything for the jersey,” he said.
“His decision to stay is a powerful endorsement of what we’ve built here at the Blues, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him with us through 2028.”
All Blacks Assistant Coach Jason Ryan added to the endorsement.
“Patty brings a wealth of experience and a calm, commanding presence that lifts the standard of everyone around him. His leadership on and off the field is immense and having a player of his calibre commit to New Zealand Rugby through to 2028 is fantastic news.”
The Blues host the Waratahs in a must-win match on Saturday at Eden Park to make the Super Rugby playoffs.
