Tuineau too good not to pick

Highlanders coach Glenn Moore admits he is pleasantly surprised by the emergence of his new lock Joe Tuineau.

The Southland second-rower was named on Wednesday morning in the 2010 Highlanders squad after he burst on to the New Zealand rugby scene through a strong showing with the Stags in this year's national provincial championship.

Earlier this year the 28-year-old was still trying to find his rugby feet at club level. It came after the former Auckland age-group representative made the switch back to the sport after his crack at playing American football in the United States.

Six months on from learning the locking trade with Woodlands, Tuineau now has a Super 14 contract.

Moore agreed it has been a rapid rise but said he simply had no option but to pick the Southlander.

"I think Joe's been one of the big shakers and movers," Moore said.

"I guess I was a little surprised with how quick he has progressed but certainly he has made huge steps and I think he's going to be real good for us."

Tuineau didn't shy away from the fact that his progress to the top has happened a lot quicker than he first expected.

"When I joined the Stags I had a two-year plan. I wanted to play two years with the Stags and then try to get into the Super 14. I've cut that back by a year, so yeah, it's been crazy."

Tuineau attributed the rise to the effort that both Stags forwards coach David Henderson and his locking partner Josh Bekhuis had put in to get him up to speed this year.

"Man, they must be good coaches to get me to where I am," Tuineau said.

The phone call from Moore on Tuesday to advise Tuineau of the good news capped off what has been a year to remember for the likeable 2.03m 121kg lock.

In June, he and his partner Daneka Wipiiti announced they would be having a baby, last month he helped Southland win the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 50 years and now he is a fully fledged professional rugby player.

Tuineau and his netball-playing partner Wipiiti are due to have their first child in Auckland at the start of next month, which is also when the Highlanders start their preparations in Dunedin.

Tuineau may have to miss the first couple of days or so, but is eager to get into camp.

"Glenn said to me playing in the NPC and playing Super 14 is completely different, so I can't wait to try take that next step up," he said.

Tuineau has been a sports co-ordinator at Verdon College but, inevitably, his new role as a Super 14 player is going to take over any work opportunities.

logan.savory@stl.co.nz

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