Patrick Tuipulotu has high hopes for the Blues this season.

Patrick Tuipulotu hopes captaining the Blues this year will help him become the world class lock he's striving to be.

The Blues announced on Wednesday that Tuipulotu would be the sole captain of the team this year, after sharing the role with Blake Gibson in 2019.

Tuipulotu says it's something that will take him out of his comfort zone, but is excited about the challenge.

"It's my home town, home province," Tuipulotu said.

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"I'm pretty honoured and privileged to again lead this team, it's obviously different circumstances the time round, with myself solely.

"But in saying that, I've got a good group of guys behind me, who are going to help me out throughout the year."

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The Blues have lost experienced leaders like Ma'a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams from last year's squad and will put an extra expectation on Tuipulotu and other key players to step up.

"I've experienced a lot compared to other players in this team," Tuipulotu said.

"I can only bring that and what I think I'm good at at the same time.

"That excites me, I'm hungry for success and I know a lot of the senior guys and the young guys coming through are feeling the same thing."

Gibson wanted to focus more on his own game this season, after battling through injuries the past few years.

So Blues coach Leon MacDonald told Tuipulotu that he wanted him to be the sole captain for 2020.

"I was never going to say no if the coaches asked me," Tuipulotu said.

"Leon approached me and told me what was the go and I thought I was happy with that, it's a new challenge, it's different but I'll take it heads on.

"This is where I want to be and that's another driving factor in why I took it."

The leadership role at the Blues could help Tuipulotu take his game to the next level and increase his standing inside the All Blacks.

With Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick away, this is the season for Tuipulotu to firmly establish himself as a starting lock.

But he knows those goals won't be achieved if he doesn't do a good job at the Blues.

'I've always thought that will take care of itself if I do my job here," he said.

"There is obviously a vacancy there.

"One thing that excites me is striving to be a world class lock.

"For myself personally, I don't think I have been the last couple of years, or during my tenure here.

"So that's another goal of mine, but first and foremost I'm focussed and excited to get stuck in with the Blues."

Tuipulotu feels optimistic about what 2020 could offer, but he admits there had been things that have held him back from reaching his full potential in the past.

"A lot of things, it could be mental, physical, but probably at the moment I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life and in my career," he said.

"That's something I can hang my hat on, I haven't stopped working since the World Cup, so with that I hope I can bring more confidence into my game and from there spur the boys on."

Meanwhile, Tuipulotu will throw out the first pitch in the Auckland Tuatara's game against Brisbane at North Harbour Stadium on Thursday night.

There have been plenty of famous figures of embarrassed themselves throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at baseball games over the years and Tuipulotu admits he doesn't want to be one of them.

He's not sure what pitch he'll throw, but says he'll make sure he's ready, so the ball doesn't end up in the dirt or go wide of the catcher.

"I'll practice that in the gym," he smiled. "I've got to warm up the shoulders first."