Rugby: Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu surprised, disappointed at omission of in-form loose forward Hoskins Sotutu from All Blacks

Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu has expressed his disappointment that teammate Hoskins Sotutu has not joined him at All Blacks camp, after missing out on selection for upcoming tests against England and Fiji.

The pair were key contributors to their team's Super Rugby Pacific triumph, which climaxed with victory over the Chiefs in a soldout final at Eden Park on Saturday, but only one heard their name called, when new coach Scott Robertson revealed the first squad of his tenure.

Sotutu, 25, has played 14 tests for New Zealand and produced career-best form to co-lead the competition with 12 tries this season, level with All Blacks winger Sevu Reece. He ranked second behind Reece in offloads and was also the Blues' leading lineout option.

Instead, Robertson has opted for rookie Wallace Sititi, after his eye-catching performance in the Chiefs' semi-final win over the tabletopping Hurricanes.

Tuipulotu isn't mincing his words, expressing his shock at Sotutu's omission. 

More to come

Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu has expressed his disappointment that teammate Hoskins Sotutu has not joined him at All Blacks camp, after missing out on selection for upcoming tests against England and Fiji.

The pair were key contributors to their team's Super Rugby Pacific triumph, which climaxed with victory over the Chiefs in a soldout final at Eden Park on Saturday, but only one heard their name called, when new coach Scott Robertson revealed the first squad of his tenure.

Sotutu, 25, has played 14 tests for New Zealand and produced career-best form to co-lead the competition with 12 tries this season, level with All Blacks winger Sevu Reece. He ranked second behind Reece in offloads and was also the Blues' leading lineout option.

Instead, Robertson has opted for rookie Wallace Sititi, after his eye-catching performance in the Chiefs' semi-final win over the tabletopping Hurricanes.

Tuipulotu isn't mincing his words, expressing his shock at Sotutu's omission. 

More to come

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