1072 Anthony Tuitavake

Anthony Tuitavake, a talented attacking back with twinkling footwork from the west of Auckland, was one of those in a long line who have gained their first prominence in New Zealand rugby through the national sevens squad.

Tuitavake was barely out of his teens when he was introduced to Gordon Tietjens’ seven sides early in 2002 and later that year he was in the squad which won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

One of a brilliant set of backs fielded by the Massey club in the North Harbour premier competition, Tuitavake was only 19 when introduced to the Harbour provincial side in 2001, his class as a try-scoring three-quarter, usually at centre, being obvious.

But sevens became a priority for the 2002-04 seasons and it was not until 2005 that he gained his first Super 12 contract and then it was as a draft player with the Highlanders, for whom he played in 10 matches.

There was even speculation of a permanent move to Otago to ensure more chances at Super level. But he gained a place in the Blues for the 2006 season and for the rest of his career in New Zealand rugby that was to be his franchise.

The best of Tuitavake was usually seen at provincial level where he soon became a mainstay of Harbour sides, including a leading role in the 2006 Ranfurly Shield win over Canterbury, and 82 games in all. Not only was he always a dangerous attacker, he was also a devastating tackler in the midfield, despite being a relatively small man. His official statistics were given as 1.80m and 89kg, but to anyone who had come into eyeball contact with the player that seemed to be a generous and optimistic assessment.

Despite his good form for both Harbour and the Blues it seemed Tuitavake destined to miss an All Black spot, especially with the rise of Conrad Smith as a world class centre, then Richard Kanui, and with Mils Muliaina also capable of playing there.

And any chance he had of finding a place on the wing was blocked by the presence of Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Rico Gear. In both the 2006-07 seasons Tuitavake became a regular choice for the Junior All Blacks.

But the loss of Howlett and Gear to overseas contracts provided some openings in the 2008 season on the wing and finally Tuitavake was given his full All Black colours. He played the early season tests against Ireland and England, the first of the tri-nations tests against Australia in Sydney, the final 12 minutes against Australia in Auckland and against Samoa in New Plymouth.

All of Tuitavake’s appearances were on the wing, when probably his most effective position was at centre. But his only time in that position was when he replaced Conrad Smith in the Eden Park test.

Tuitavake went on the end-of-season Northern Hemisphere tour, playing wing again against Scotland and scoring his only test try and appearing at centre for the first 70 minutes of the miweek fixture against Munster.

But he was overlooked for all of the All Blacks 2009 matches, with his only national involvement back in the Junior All Blacks when his four appearances in the Pacific Nations Cup brought his total of games for that side to 13.

Tuitavake was made Harbours captain for the 2009 season, but injuries limited him to just six games. Before he moved to Japan in 2010 injuries also plagued his final Super 14 campaign for the Blues.