There's more to Tuitupou ...

A logjam of midfield talent at the Blues may mean Tuitupou gets his wish and can stay at the Chiefs for next year's Super 14. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Like Mils Muliaina before him, an unplanned switch from the Blues to the Chiefs has done All Black wonders for midfield back Sam Tuitupou.

He will line up tonight alongside his old mate Muliaina with whom he formed a close alliance at Kelston Boys High then the Blues, Auckland and in several matches this year, the Chiefs.

Tuitupou played six tests in 2004 before being bypassed last season as Aaron Mauger, Tana Umaga and Ma'a Nonu were used in his favoured second five-eighths role.

That slide continued this season with his rejection by the Blues but Tuitupou was so strong at the Chiefs he claimed a spot in the initial bloated 39-strong All Black squad.

Another powerful hit-out against Argentina and Nonu's broken thumb kept Tuitupou in the squad trimmed for the Tri-Nations while the rotation selection policy gives him a start tonight in Wellington.

"I didn't think I would get a run in this match," he said.

"But I guess it is all about managing players because it is going to be quite a long Tri-Nations and the coaches are trying to get the best out of all the players."

The last time he started against the Boks, in 2004 at Ellis Park, Tuitupou played with a broken rib in the 26-40 defeat. He has also had a history of shoulder problems but the goatee-bearded midfielder remains injury-free this season.

Tuitupou does not appear to be weighed down by previous games; his memories are either sketchy or he does not want to know. History means little for him, the next game is everything.

He vaguely recalls his opposite tonight, Wynand Olivier, though the name De Wet Barry hits his radar. Their styles made it like collision crossroads in midfield in 2004.

"I guess it all came down to adrenalin [playing with a broken rib]. It was quite sore before the game but after I warmed up I did not really feel it until the last 10 minutes.

"It was mind over matter."

Tuitupou has had to make similar adjustments in the past few weeks. As he prepared to captain Auckland in the new provincial championship he was called into the All Black squad.

"That was going to be a big thing but this is an even bigger challenge and I am ready for it. It is sinking in."

Backs coach Wayne Smith has warned there is more to Tuitupou's game than the direct approach he gets credit for. They have kept in touch since 2004, adding a kicking game and better offloads from Tuitupou whose subtle changes of direction are hard to detect from the grandstand.

"I have been working on better transfers, trying to make sure they are not 50-50, making better choices if you like," he said.

NZ Juniors coach Ian Foster has been a huge help at the Chiefs, a new voice in a fresh environment and one, given the choice, Tuitupou would like to return to in 2007.

"As soon as I found out I was going to the Chiefs I took the family down there, sorted out a place and we really enjoyed it.

"It was my first time away from Auckland and especially family as well, and it gave us the chance to do things on our own."

There was no extended family safety net and the 24-year-old Tuitupou found it tough but rewarding.

"If I had the choice I would prefer to go back to the Chiefs because we started something there and I would like to carry on."

With Tuitupou, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Rua Tipoki, Isa Nacewa, Anthony Tuitavake and Ben Atiga there remains a logjam of Blues midfield talent for the Super 14 selectors to unravel next season. That does not concern Tuitupou: his task is to unpick the Springboks tonight.