Blues coach Leon MacDonald opens up on plans for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's playing position
Blues head coach Leon MacDonald isn’t ready to pigeonhole NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck into any position months out from his highly-anticipated cross-code switch.
Tuivasa-Sheck and the Blues confirmed on the eve of Super Rugby Aotearoa that the Warriors captain will make the move to the Auckland franchise on a two-year deal once his rugby league commitments have come to an end.
One of the highest-profile players to make the jump between the two sports, much speculation has centred on where Tuivasa-Sheck will play in the XV-man game.
A fullback who can cover wing in league, the 2018 Dally M Medallist has been touted as a potential fullback, wing or midfielder in union.
In his last stint as a union player for the Otahuhu College 1st XV, Blues U18 and New Zealand Schools sides in 2011, Tuivasa-Sheck, who might be available to play for Auckland in this year’s NPC, could played in all three positions.
That doesn’t mean MacDonald has set in stone where the 28-year-old will play for the Blues, though.
“Roger played midfield at school and he obviously plays in the outside backs in league and I think we’d be foolish to make a call on that right now,” MacDonald said after his side’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final victory over the Highlanders on Saturday.
“He hasn’t even donned a rugby jersey yet. We’ve got to get him out of the Warriors jersey first. We’re hoping to see him in the NPC, potentially, later on in the year. They’ll ease him back in.
“We share a building with Auckland so we’ll be around to help navigate his way through the learning of the game.”
Tuivasa-Sheck’s arrival at the Blues will only bolster the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman champions’ depth chart, particularly in the backline where there is no shortage of talent.
Despite the imminent departures of first-five Otere Black and midfielder TJ Faiane, the Blues will still have All Blacks stars Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke to accompany Tuivasa-Sheck out wide.
MacDonald said having such breadth of quality will only serve the Blues well when it comes to finding a positional home for Tuivasa-Sheck.
New Zealand’s depth in the loose forwards continues to amaze – despite a few potentially crucial injuries. Will Shannon Frizell’s injury late in the #SuperRugby season impact the make-up of tonight’s #AllBlacks squad?https://t.co/SMTm2QgQyx
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) June 20, 2021
“We’ve got the ability to change positions. Rieko can play midfield and wing, Roger could play on the wing early on or at fullback or in the midfield, so it’s really what works out in the end and how it all folds together.”
Working out just how Tuivasa-Sheck fits into the Blues’ backline is even more intriguing when taking into consideration the rise of young fullback Zarn Sullivan.
The 20-year-old rookie had a memorable debut Super Rugby campaign as he started in the franchise’s last seven matches of the season, including all six Trans-Tasman games, to play a crucial role in his side’s title-winning success.
An intelligent player, Sullivan pulled the strings from the backfield as he proved his worth as a sublime kicker out of hand who constantly put opposing sides on the back foot with some sterling touch-finders that kept teams trapped inside their halves.
He also showed glimpses of his running ability and distribution skills, and he also looms as a quality long-range goal-kicking option.
That broad skill base has previously led MacDonald to express how he sees Sullivan’s future in the No 10 jersey, despite the youngster having plied his trade exclusively at fullback this season.
With just six matches in last year’s test calendar, new head coach Ian Foster had little time to really stamp his mark on the #AllBlacks. That’s all set to change in 2021, with a bumper year ahead of the NZ national side.
?? Gregor Paulhttps://t.co/8gzLm6OIdn
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) June 20, 2021
However, with Barrett, Stephen Perofeta and Saturday’s match-winning goal-kicker Harry Plummer all returning to Eden Park next year, opportunities to play at first-five might be hard to come by for Sullivan.
That could force the former King’s College standout to stay in the No 15 jersey, which, in turn, may have implications on where Tuivasa-Sheck will play or how much game time he will receive.
Given MacDonald described Sullivan’s skill set as “perfect” for a No 15, it seems Tuivasa-Sheck will have a battle on his hands if he wants to establish himself as a fullback in union, as he has done in league.
“We’re keeping him [Sullivan] at the back at the moment,” MacDonald said.
“We’ve obviously got Beaudy there and Oats [Black] is going, but Stephen Perofeta’s playing good rugby and you saw Harry step up to the mark, so we’re pretty blessed with some good depth at 10.
“I think he’s [Sullivan] got the attributes to become a very good 15. The skill set is perfect as he just keeps growing in confidence and understanding. There’s no reason he couldn’t become a 15 full-time.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments