Roger Tuivasa-Sheck won't have space at 12 like he does in rugby league
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at 12? Honestly, I’m not sure.
It’s easy to like RTS. The man’s been a model professional athlete, carrying himself in a manner that’s been a credit to himself, his family and every team who’s contracted him.
He was a very fine player at the Sydney Roosters, but was unable to make a demonstrable impact at the New Zealand Warriors. That wasn’t his fault, more a reflection of the calibre of those two NRL clubs.
We’re now eager to see what Tuivasa-Sheck can do in rugby, where many expected him to pop up on the right wing.
Instead, we’re told second five-eighth will be his position, which I have to admit feels like a stretch.
I mentioned the goodwill towards Tuivasa-Sheck, because that’s important. People will give him the benefit of the doubt and will forgive whatever missteps the 28-year-old takes, as he returns to the game of his youth.
But the man has made his name – and his millions – playing as an outside back and now faces an uphill task to suddenly turn himself into a serviceable international midfielder.
I say international, because Tuivasa-Sheck won’t have come cheap. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) will want some bang for their buck, which means the man will need to quickly establish himself as an All Black to justify their spend.
The fact he’s not being seen as a wing – who are frankly a dime a dozen in these parts – probably tells you why the former Dally M fullback of the year is about to play 12. It simply doesn’t make economic sense to have a bloke who’ll be 29 in June chasing and returning kicks, when you could pay someone with less miles in their legs to do it for practically nothing.
Let’s look at the man’s strengths. He has good feet, is quick off the mark, strong, brave, a useful ballplayer and occasionally effective short-kicker.
If I think of a rugby player in my lifetime with a similar skillset, John Schuster comes to mind. Like Tuivasa-Sheck, he was a 12 before going on to play wing in rugby league.
Tuivasa-Sheck has been an adequate first or second-receiver in rugby league and can organise quite well. He’s vocal and a leader and possessed with decent vision.
But he was at his best in the NRL when in space. It was rare for the first tackler to stop him on a kick return, given his ability to step off either foot.
Tuivasa-Sheck won’t have space at 12. He’ll be taking the ball flat with loose forwards and all sorts to contend with.
He’s not built to be a battering ram or known for an ability to offload in the tackle. Nor, beyond a grubber or two, is he a noted kicker.
And, as Ngani Laumape will tell you, not being able to punt expertly off either foot can be seen as something of a disadvantage when you play 12.
I could see Tuivasa-Sheck at centre, carrying the ball in a fashion similar to Rieko Ioane. Tuivasa-Sheck lacks Ioane’s power and outright speed, but centre would afford him more space to beat defenders one-on-one.
If I’m absolutely honest here, I think he’s been a poor buy by NZR. I think his rugby league career was in decline and that rugby has offered him a soft landing.
Frankly, I don’t think it’ll be long before he ends up playing in Japan.
I get what’s good about him and I readily accept he’s a model pro who will bring a lot to a team environment. I just struggle to see him nailing down a position in the 15-man game, given his age and decade away from the code.
In earmarking Tuivasa-Sheck to play 12, I honestly believe we’re putting him in the least advantageous position possible.
Well, that’s not quite right. He could be following in Benji Marshall’s footsteps and trying to learn to play first five-eighth.
I don’t throw that name in there frivolously, either. Marshall and Tuivasa-Sheck’s games have a wee bit in common and we all saw how badly Benji struggled at the Blues.
I want to see Tuivasa-Sheck succeed and I know that I’m not alone there. He’s a man with a legion of admirers, who was capable of amazing things in the 13-man code.
But I also wrote on this site not long ago that Jordie Barrett wasn’t a bad bet at 12 for the All Blacks and I meant it. We need a physical threat in midfield and Tuivasa-Sheck doesn’t provide it.
I look forward to being proved wrong and to finding RTS can adapt to rugby and can be credible second five-eighth. I’m just not holding my breath.
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments