Fatherhood to inspire Muliaina: Tuqiri - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Fatherhood to inspire Muliaina: Tuqiri

By Darren Walton 29/10/2008 08:18:42 PM Comments (0)

Wallabies ace Lote Tuqiri says Mils Muliaina manic build-up should be the least of the All Blacks' concerns heading into Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup showdown in Hong Kong.

Muliaina was only due to arrive in Hong Kong at 6am on Thursday after staying in New Zealand for the birth of his first child, Max.

Not only did his son's arrival rob Muliaina of precious sleep, vital team time and doubtless plenty of nervous energy, it also had All Blacks coach Graham Henry on selection tenterhooks.

So desperate was Henry to have Muliaina on deck for the historic encounter that he excused himself to journalists before answering his phone during Tuesday's team announcement, hoping it was the classy fullback calling with some good news.

"That will be Mils now," Henry said.

Alas, it wasn't and the anxious coach was made to wait several more hours before learning Muliaina would indeed be available.

But while Muliaina's inclusion has relieved Henry of the need to reshuffle the New Zealand backline, it remains to be seen how the 64-Test veteran will back up after such a disrupted preparation.

Speaking from his own experience with fatherhood, Tuqiri is tipping pretty damn well.

The superstar winger recalled how the birth of his first son, Samson, in 2005 was the inspiration behind his record four-try haul against Italy.

"I've been there before. There'll be no problems there," Tuqiri said. "All the excitement and everything else will be running through his veins.

"I remember coming back a week after I had my first boy; even though it wasn't a strong team, I remember coming back and scoring four tries against Italy.

"I was still pumped and the adrenalin was probably still running through my veins the whole week. I don't see that hindering him at all.

"He would have got a fair amount of sleep on the plane. He would have been by himself, he wouldn't have had teammates trying to wake him up here or there, or anything else. He'll be fine.

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