A 2004 All Blacks debutant, Sam Tuitupou has carried his successful junior career - including world titles at Under-19 and Under-21 levels - into the senior ranks.
Renowned for his hard tackling and straight running, Tuitupou performed as the ideal complement to Carlos Spencer in the Blues midfield.
Tuitupou played his first Super 12 games with the Blues in 2003 and made 40 appearances for the franchise. The competition for midfield positions, however, was such that in 2006 he was placed in the draft and played 13 matches that year for the Chiefs.
At the end of the 2007 season he left the Blues and currently plays for Irish side Munster in the Magners League.