Carwyn Tuipulotu has had to learn fast since moving to the Scarlets four years ago.
But now the giant No 8 feels ready, willing and able to take on the challenge of the new season as he fast approaches his 23rd birthday this month. He claims to feel both ‘nervous and excited’ about the nine months ahead of him and his team.
“I’m nervous but excited and I can’t wait to build on last season and to see an improvement. There are a lot of new signings and we’ve retained a good bunch of players,” said Tuipulotu.
“We’ve lost a golden era of players, but it’s exciting that we are building with a new cycle of players. People say you develop a lot from just playing and enjoying the game, and I did benefit a lot by playing regularly last season.
“The quality of the players I was playing with helped a lot and helped me to pick up some little things. I definitely picked the brains of Va’ea (Fifita) and big Sam (Lousi), our Tongan influencers.
“You get a lot of people complaining about overseas signings, but it has been very beneficial for someone young like me to be able to pick the brains of people like them.
“You get to learn about where they have come from like in Super Rugby and the All Blacks – it’s pretty cool to hear about their backgrounds.”
Tuipulotu, cousin of Wales women’s prop Sisi, Cardiff and Wales No 8 Taulupe Faletau and the Vunipola brothers, Mako and Billy, has had a lot to live up to and has been under pressure to deliver as a big ball carrying back row forward.
He admits to learning a lot from another Tongan who played with huge distinction for the Scarlets, Sione Kalamafoni, and is working hard to match his destructive carrying.
“As soon as he steps over the white line, he is just a different animal – just a beast who is always on it. He must have an ‘on-off’ switch because off the field he is just this big friendly giant. I just need to be a bit more like him,” said Tuipulotu.
“I need to reproduce his actions from when he played for the Scarlets. I’ve certainly learned a lot from watching him and he has helped me.
“I’m just friendly like him off the field and there are things you have to think about that help you to switch mindset when you are playing. For me it’s about thinking about my family and providing for them – I just want to make them proud, that’s my real motivation.
“There was a lot of pressure when I first arrived in Wales. I’ve learned now how to handle that, almost just to ignore it, and to remind myself about the enjoyment of the game. There was a time when I forgot about that and I was just putting pressure on myself, trying to be the player that everyone wants to talk about.
“Now I just keep thinking about when I first started playing with my friends as a nine-year-old at New Brighton RFC. Just having enjoyment is the big thing.
“The coaches gave me a lot of game time last season and that helped a lot. They really encouraged me and I feel a lot more confident going into this season – almost like a new player.
There is definitely a lot more to come from me – I’m not the finished product yet. There are things I want to add into my game.”
