| Tito made a massive impression on his debut for the Blues with a man-of-the-match performance in last weekend's Magners League win over the Ospreys. And not even the big kick-off in the sixth Rugby World Cup in France is going to take the former Wellington Hurricanes lock's eye off the Blues quest for glory this season.
The Blues travel to Newport to meet their arch-rivals the Dragons tonight, with the unusual kick-off time of 6.10pm allowing fans to rush from the game to see the opening ceremony and first match of the World Cup.
"If the All Blacks don't win it, there will be another day of mourning in New Zealand," said Tito. "I really want the All Blacks to win, they're a quality team. But things haven't gone well in previous World Cups and, on their day, France, Australia and South Africa can rise to the occasion and beat them.
"But I think Graham Henry has done the right thing by resting his players and they will know they have a great chance of lifting the trophy."
The All Blacks kick-off on Saturday against Italy and the Blues' Friday night assignment means Tito can join fellow Kiwis Xavier Rush and Ben Blair in sitting down and enjoying the occasion. Unless, that is, he is as battered and bruised as he was at the end of his baptism of fire in the Welsh derby clash at the Arms Park.
"The game agains tthe Ospreys was very competitive," he said. "I've played in a few big derbies and that was up there with the most physical. There was a lot of pressure around the ruck and maul areas. The crowd are a lot closer and louder than in New Zealand and it was a very enjoyable experience.
"They could have scored with the last kick but I felt we deserved the win. Hopefully we can just get better and better from here on.
"We have to front up every week. As long as we're mentally right, and don't take any team lightly, we'll be ok. If not, we'll lose. It doesn't matter where you play rugby in the world, that's the nature of the beast."
Dragons: Martyn Thomas; Gareth Wyatt, Phil Dollman, Ashley Smith, Richard Mustoe; Aled Thomas, Andrew Williams; Adam Black, Ben Daly, Rhys Thomas, Luke Charteris (capt), Peter Sidoli, Jamie Ringer, Nic Fitisemanu, Richard Parks
Replacements: Steve Jones, Hugh Gustafson, Adam Jones, Dan Lydiate, Joe Bearman, Gareth Maule, Wayne Evans
Blues: Ben Blair; Rhys Williams, Tal Selley, Dafydd Hewitt, Jamie Roberts; Nick Robinson, Richie Rees; John Yapp, Ross Johnson, Gary Powell, Deiniol Jones, Paul Tito, Ben White, Xavier Rush (capt), Robin Sowden-Taylor
Replacements: Scott Roberts, Gareth Williams, Robert Sidoli, Mark Lewis, Jason Spice, Nick Macleod, Marc Stcherbina
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
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