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Report: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could make his union debut as early as this year's Mitre 10 Cup
New cross-code convert Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may make his highly-anticipated union debut as early as this year in the Mitre 10 Cup.
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That’s according to a report from the New Zealand Herald following Tuivasa-Sheck’s confirmation of his decision to move from rugby league to union on Saturday, with the 2021 NRL season set to be his last for the Warriors.
Given the NRL’s regular season concludes on September 5 and the competition’s playoffs are set to culminate in a grand final on October 3, many assumed Tuivasa-Sheck wouldn’t be available to play union until next year’s edition of Super Rugby.
However, the Herald reports that the 2018 Dally M Medal winner could be in line to play for Auckland in this year’s Mitre 10 Cup to help ease the jump between the two codes.
With the 2021 Mitre 10 Cup scheduled to get underway on September 11 and wrap up on November 27, such a move would give Tuivasa-Sheck plenty of time accustom himself to union prior to Super Rugby, regardless of how the Warriors’ fare this season.
It also means the 2013 NRL Premiership winner would also be unavailable for this year’s Rugby League World Cup in the United Kingdom, which is scheduled to take place in October and November.
By ditching the World Cup and opting against adding to his 20 test caps for the Kiwis, Tuivasa-Sheck will instead commit himself to the Blues, despite the interest of two other Super Rugby franchises, according to the Herald.
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The report states that while both the Chiefs and Highlanders showed interest in the Warriors captain, he is expected to complete a two-year deal with the Blues this week.
That will lay the foundations for his quest to make the All Blacks squad in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup in France.
But, while most expect Tuivasa-Sheck to play in the outside backs – he made his name in the NRL as a standout fullback – in union, the All Blacks are reportedly eager for him to transition into the midfield.
According to the Herald, this is because of the huge depth in quality among the outside backs across New Zealand, which is vastly more than that of the nation’s midfield stocks.
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Glad to hear today that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could link up with Auckland for the M10 Cup.
Whether a player succeeds when switching codes is so dependant on how much time they're willing to invest in the transition – here's a bit more on that via @TheXV…https://t.co/0eaBljfMpb
— Tom Vinicombe (@TomVinicombe) February 2, 2021
That echoes the sentiments of Andrew Douglas, the Old Glory DC boss who coached Tuivasa-Sheck when he was in the 2011 New Zealand Schools team alongside Ardie Savea, Ngani Laumape and Patrick Tuipulotu.
Douglas said last week that he sees the former Otahuhu College 1st XV and Blues U18 representative as a midfielder in the long-haul.
Whether Tuivasa-Sheck flourishes in the midfield or in the outside backs remains to be seen, but, if reports are to be believed, he could be playing in either position in the Mitre 10 Cup by the end of the year.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments