Tiny Tuitupou proves that size doesn't matter

By LINDSAY KNIGHT in WELLINGTON

In the world of professionalism where even halfbacks are around 1.8m, Sam Tuitupou, the undoubted kingpin of Auckland's backline, is almost an anachronism.

According to the programme statistics he's just 1.76m and 87kg and it might be wondered whether some literary license has been applied to those dimensions.

But what Tuitupou lacks in size he more than makes up for in the presence he casts in the Auckland side. And after Saturday night's 41-29 win over Wellington at Westpac Stadium, his coach Wayne Pivac had no doubt in citing him as the most significant of Auckland's many talented backs.

"He lifts the players around him," Pivac said. "Not only with his attacking play but with his communication on defence. He organises the backline very well.

"He's got a huge heart, a ton of character and, kilogram for kilogram, is one of the strongest guys playing rugby in New Zealand."

Those attributes were all in evidence as Tuitupou played to the utmost of his considerable ability in helping to inspire Auckland, having given himself a special mission after a shoulder problem had allowed him only a limited participation in the NPC.

Those absences coincided with Auckland's mid-season slump which almost cost the side a playoff place.

On Saturday night Tuitupou even went through the pain barrier to ensure he did his bit for his team.

"You've got to lay your body on the line," he said as he celebrated a successful defence of the title and the third leg of what is a notable provincial trifecta.

Not only did he battle through with his suspect shoulder heavily bandaged, but in last few minutes before being forced from the field he had severe cramping.

Tuitupou, by latching on to a speculative kick from fullback Orene Ai'i, gave Auckland the start they wanted with a try after only three minutes.

But for much of the first spell it seemed as if Auckland's hopes of securing the NPC crown to go with the Ranfurly Shield and the Blues' Super 12 triumph might be foiled by a Wellington side inspired by their farewell to champion fullback Christian Cullen.

Cullen, feeding off the emotion of his team-mates and a highly supportive crowd, threatened to make his swansong a fairytale by scoring both of Wellington's first-half tries.

He scored on the short side of a ruck to level the early scoring at 7-7 and then, just on the break, caught Auckland unaware with a tap from a penalty for a second.

That brought the score back to 19-17 and checked what appeared an inexorable surge by Auckland when late in the first spell two tries were scored in rapid succession, first by Ai'i, after the defence had been initially broken by Tuitupou, and then by centre Iliesa Tanivula.

Having had by Pivac's estimate no more than 30 to 40 per cent possession, Auckland might have thought themselves lucky to even be ahead at the break.

"We didn't really have enough opportunities," Pivac said. "So we felt going into halftime that if we started to play some footie in the second spell we could win."

And immediately after halftime, with the use of an icy cold southerly wind, Auckland did just that, as good as sealing the match with tries to wing Tony Koonwaiyou and prop Nick White.

Koonwaiyou's was the crowning piece of an excellent game and has to be on any shortlist as a contender for the try of the NPC. The move swept 70m, went through several hands and, needless to say, a major role in constructing it came from Tuitupou.

Ai'i, with two tries despite some misadventures under high kicks, Koonwaiyou, Tanivula and first five-eighth Tasesa Lavea were other sharp attackers and dazzling steppers in a wonderful Auckland backline.

And in a well-drilled pack, big lock Bradley Mika effectively battered the Wellington advantage line.

But defence as much as attack took Auckland to victory and it was significant Wellington's flier Sireli Bob was well contained, only scoring late in the match when it had become an academic exercise.

Here Auckland had learned from their previous round-robin clash when a failure to look after the ball and 50-50 passes had led to a 46-42 defeat, largely from Wellington's powerful counter-attacks from turnovers.

Wellington surprised by using David Holwell at first five-eighth, having gained a clearance from an x-ray on his broken jaw on Thursday.

However, he failed with two crucial goal kicks when Wellington were becoming desperate in the second spell.

Wellington contributed worthily to a rousing final, but on the night were well beaten. Captain and halfback Jason Spice admitted: "We just fell on tackles and were a little brittle on the inside."

It was a fine allround performance by a young Auckland side and the third big win in an away match in consecutive weekends. It is even plainer now that Auckland are on the brink of an exciting new provincial era.


Auckland record

First division titles since 1976:

Auckland 14, Canterbury 4, Wellington 4, Otago 2, Manawatu 1, Waikato 1, Bay of Plenty 1, Counties Manukau 1.

Coach Wayne Pivac and Auckland:

1999: Winners first division.

2000: Lost semifinal to Wellington.

2001: Lost semifinal to Canterbury.

2002: Winners first division.

2003: Winners first division.

NPC points table