Patrick Tuipulotu signs four-year deal to stay with Blues

Patrick Tuipulotu is keen to put his injury problems behind him after agreeing a new deal with New Zealand Rugby and the Blues.

Lock Tuipulotu has won seven caps for the All Blacks but they came soon after he burst on to the scene with the Blues during the 2014 season.

The 23-year-old missed the country's victorious World Cup run last year because he needed double hip surgery and he is currently battling back to fitness after suffering a broken hand.

He is now hoping a quick return to form will see him challenge first choice pair Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock for an international return, with his sights firmly set on the Lions tour next year and the next World Cup in Japan in 2019.

After signing the four-year deal, Tuipulotu said: "It's been a long process but I always wanted to stay.

"I wasn't looking overseas or anything like that. I want to be back in the frame for the June tests and long term I want to be an All Black for a while.

"I know I can play a lot better. I started off well but then went a bit downhill. I'm slowly getting there but the injuries haven't helped.

"I know I'm fit enough to play. I lost all the weight I put on while I was injured so I put it down to something mental off the field.

"It [the contract] wasn't an excuse for me performing how I was before but it was definitely a weight off my shoulders. I know where I'll be for the next couple of years and I'll put a lot of work back into getting this team back to where they should be."

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