Born winner Sam Tuitupou has revealed he is ‘champing at the bit’ to pull on the gold and blue of Warriors and help fire his new to glory after arriving at Sixways Stadium.
New Zealand international Tuitupou – nicknamed the Pocket Rocket – got his first look at his new surroundings today after arriving in the UK.
The highly-rated 25-year-old, who has won nine international caps for the All Blacks, has signed a deal at Sixways that will keep him at the club until 2010.
Dynamic midfielder Tuitupou – currently ruled out of action with a broken wrist – has enjoyed a hugely successful playing career winning world titles as captain for New Zealand at Under-19 and Under-21 level.
Tuitupou has replicated that success in the senior ranks featuring strongly in two Air New Zealand titles with Auckland and in the Super 14 championship with the Blues. He most recently captained Auckland to glory in Air New Zealand Cup against Wellington.
Now he is eager to bring that winning brand of rugby to Sixways and talking to http://www.wrfc.co.uk/ admitted his debut for the Warriors was already in his mind.
“I’m delighted to have arrived and simply can’t wait to get started for Warriors,” he said. “Having the injury is frustrating because I’m champing at the bit to get going, I’ve come to bring success and get this club moving.
“I’ve had a quick look around and like what I see, the stadium looks great, the training pitches are spot on and the players have real talent. We’ve some fine players here and also a really impressive Academy section with young guys keen to get stuck in.
“I have spoken to Mike Ruddock at length and I think I can be a success here, he is a top coach with a superb pedigree who can really take this club places.”
Tuitupou has won acclaim on the international stage with his first All Blacks call-up for the clash with England at Dunedin in 2004 and become a cult hero in his homeland with his all-action displays.
But the talented back is now putting that to the back of his mind and is ready to carve out a new reputation in England.
“I’m just really excited by the prospect for both me and my family, I spoke to my wife about this move and it’s a new start and challenge for all of us,” said Tuitupou, who has been joined by three of his children with his wife and youngest making the trip in the New Year.
“I actually came to England and played for New Zealand Colts when I was 21 as captain – we won then so hopefully I can keep that habit going!
“I had a few offers in England but always liked the idea of Warriors, I asked who played for them and realised straight away that I knew quite a few of the guys in Tevita Taumoepeau, Aisea Havili, Dale Rasmussen and Loki Crichton.
“I enjoyed my rugby back home and to go the last season unbeaten and win the championship with Auckland was amazing, the perfect way to sign off by fulfilling a long term goal of mine.
“But this is now a new start. I have already taken the kids around the city to find the nearest shops and like the vibe around here. I’m sure the people will make me feel at home and help me settle in.”
Tuitupou has been playing his rugby the other side of the globe while Warriors have been battling it out in the Guinness Premiership.
But the flying back revealed he had still seen some of the action.
“I had to get up in the middle of the night at 3am to watch some of the live games but it was worth it, I saw a few from last season too,” he said.
“There is no doubt we have the talent here and hopefully the win against Harlequins last weekend will help us kick on and get on a roll.
“I’m just looking forward to getting back playing rugby as soon as possible and hopefully getting some good results for Worcester.”
Tuitupou has had the start of his Warriors career delayed by injury after breaking his wrist in the Air New Zealand final.
The 25-year-old sustained a fractured left distal radius and was operated on by top New Zealand hand surgeon Chris Taylor.
Tuitupou’s arrival in England was delayed until early November because of the nature of the injury to reduce the chances of swelling and complications while he is in plaster.
But now he is here and determined to put the work in to be in top condition when the medical staff give him the green light to start playing again.
“I’m still looking at the same time-frame for recovering from my injury and I have got another X-ray coming up soon,” he said.
“It is a bit of a set-back because I was raring to go, but I’ve just got to do what’s best for my wrist and get back as soon as possible.
“Going from one season to another is hard and when I first suffered the injury I thought I would just recharge the batteries. But after one weekend at home I was ready to go again – I just want to play rugby again as soon as possible and pull on that Warriors jersey!”