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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck headlines Blues squad for Super Rugby Pacific 2022
Of the 31 rookies signing with Kiwi Super Rugby Pacific sides for the first times in their careers, none warrant attention like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
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That’s because – with almost 200 NRL appearances, a 2013 Premiership title and a 2018 Dally M Medal to his name – 28-year-old former Warriors captain is among the highest-profile cross-code converts to have moved from rugby league to rugby union.
As such, the inclusion of Tuivasa-Sheck in next year’s Blues squad makes him one of the most prominent names in the Auckland franchise’s roster, and that’s saying something given they also welcome the return of All Blacks centurion Beauden Barrett back from Japan.
However, none of the 12 new and returning players have the mystique or allure that Tuivasa-Sheck, who is still yet to play his first professional match in union, offers.
Much of that degree of uncertainty stems from the fact that, not only has he not played union since his 1st XV, Blues U18 and New Zealand Schools days from 2011, but also that nobody really knows where exactly in the backline he will play.
One of league’s finest fullbacks who also spent time playing on the wing and at five-eighth, Tuivasa-Sheck has been tipped as either a wing, fullback or midfielder in union, with his exciting skill set suited to anyone of those positions.
Given his inexperience in the XV-man code, though, it was expected that he was going to be eased into action from the No 14 jersey in his NPC debut for Auckland against Bay of Plenty in August.
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However, All Blacks boss Ian Foster has indicated he views Tuivasa-Sheck as a midfielder, but Auckland’s ongoing lockdown prevented everyone from seeing where he will line up as he is still yet to make his first outing in first-class rugby.
His no-show thus far as a union star adds to the anticipation surrounding his imminent Blues debut, but, with as one of the NRL’s finest of the past decade, one would imagine it wouldn’t take much for Tuivasa-Sheck to flourish in next year’s Super Rugby Pacific.
Especially when he is part of backline that has not shortage of talent, such has Barrett, who returns to the Blues for a second campaign after a season off in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath earlier this year.
Expected to retain the franchise’s No 10 jersey, Barrett will form an all-All Blacks halves duo with test rookie Finlay Christie, while Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke are starting certainties, whether that be on the wing or in the midfield.
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Through the likes of Mark Telea, Bryce Heem, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer and Sam Nock, the Blues will be well-sourced in terms of experience and back-up to those starters in their backline.
The All Blacks were beaten 40-25 by France in Paris on Sunday morning [NZT]. It was their third loss this year from 15 matches played #FRAvNZL https://t.co/YZIRz7YE9p
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 21, 2021
Throw in the prospective talents of youngsters Zarn Sullivan, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, AJ Lam, Tanielua Tele’a and 2022 newbies Corey Evans, Taufa Funaki and Tamati Tua, and the Blues have an extremely well-balanced cohort of backs.
That mix of test-level quality, youth and experience is also evident within the forward pack, which features eight All Blacks.
Three of those – Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu – come in the loose forwards, while a further four – Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tuungafasi, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Alex Hodgman – are props.
The eighth is veteran second rower Luke Romano, who transfers to the Blues after 10 years, more than 100 appearances and five title-winning campaigns with the Crusaders to act as a season-long replacement for Japan-bound lock Patrick Tuipulotu.
Complementing that vast international experience – which is compounded by the inclusion of Manu Samoa prop Jordan Lay, who fills in for his injured brother Jordan – in the Blues set-up is the experienced campaigners they have in their ranks.
That experience is provided in the form of new players like former Hurricanes hooker Ricky Riccitelli and ex-Brumbies lock James Tucker, as well as returnees such as Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Kurt Eklund and Marcel Renata.
France beat the All Blacks for the first time since 2009 this morning [NZT], winning 40-25 in Paris #FRAvNZL https://t.co/URuxXqcEI3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 21, 2021
Perhaps one of the most exciting signings made by the Blues in their forward pack is that of young Tasman flanker Anton Segner, the 20-year-old German who has starred for the New Zealand Schools and New Zealand U20 teams in recent years.
The former Germany U16 representative continued that form in this year’s NPC, and is earmarked for future success provided he carries on his robust, defensive style of play.
However, with Papalii, Ioane and Sotutu blocking the path for prospective starters in the loose forwards, Segner – along with Taine Plumtree and fellow newcomers Adrian Choat and Cameron Suafoa – may find it tough going for game time next year.
Nevertheless, Blues fans should be brimming with confidence that their 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign can provide the sort of title-winning success they enjoyed in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
With such depth, talent and quality throughout their squads, the Aucklanders will challenge the Crusaders as favourites to win the inaugural edition of Super Rugby’s revamped competition.
The Blues will begin their 2022 season against the Fijian Drua at Eden Park on February 19.
2022 Blues transfers
In: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (rugby league), Beauden Barrett (Suntory Sungoliath), Jordan Lay (Auckland), Ricky Riccitelli (Hurricanes), Luke Romano (Crusaders), James Tucker (Brumbies), Taufa Funaki (Auckland), Corey Evans (Auckland), Tamati Tua (
Out: Blake Gibson (Hurricanes), Emoni Narawa (
2022 Blues squad
Hookers: Kurt Eklund, Soane Vikena, Ricky Riccitelli
Props: Alex Hodgman, Jordan Lay, Ofa Tuungafasi, Marcel Renata, Nepo Laulala, Karl Tu’
Locks: James Tucker, Josh Goodhue, Sam Darry, Luke Romano.
Loose forwards: Taine Plumtree, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Cameron
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki
First-Fives: Beauden Barrett, Harry Plummer, Stephen Perofeta
Midfield: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck,
Outside backs: Mark Telea, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens,
Unavailable due to injury: James Lay
Comments on RugbyPass
“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.
22 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
3 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.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments