The play that showed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is ready for the All Blacks

It’s been a gradual transition into rugby union for Blues star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has had a solid, if unspectacular, debut Super Rugby Pacific season so far.

However, his most recent outing, a quarter-final win over the Highlanders, proved why there are such big wraps as a potential All Black on the 29-year-old midfielder.

Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Podcast, former All Blacks hooker James Parsons and Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall explained that much, giving high praise for Tuivasa-Sheck’s performance at Eden Park.

The Breakdown | Episode 16

The Breakdown | Episode 16

“I think it was Roger’s best round. I just think he was fantastic not only on attack but defensively he seems to be just getting better and better each week,” Parsons said.

“In a big match when they were under pressure he really stood up and delivered.

“When he busts through that line it would have been so easy to give the inside ball to Beaudy [Beauden Barret]. But he gives it to Rieko which commits that last defender.

“It’s little decisions like that, which you don’t think too much of, but there is considered thought at running at full pace to make sure that the five-pointer is scored.

“Roger is just getting better and better. He looks ready for that [test] level of intensity.”

Hall shared that view, telling the Aotearoa Rugby Pod that Tuivasa-Sheck has a strong case for All Black selection.

“I think that match put him in the All Blacks I think if I’m being honest,” he said.

“We’ve talked around these kind of games, being able to play against the Australian teams builds his confidence.

“Then getting a game against the Highlanders and playing a game like that, I think that game puts him in the All Black frame.”

Tuivasa-Sheck’s stats from last weekend’s game show a dominant performance with one try, two clean breaks, four defenders beaten, and 68 running meters from 11 carries.

To put those stats into perspective, David Havili started at 12 for the Crusaders and left the game with one defender beaten, zero clean breaks, no tries, and 16 meters from 10 runs.

Tuivasa-Sheck’s Chiefs counterpart Quinn Tupaea, meanwhile, left his game against the Waratahs with no clean breaks, zero tries, one defender beaten, and 19 meters from eight runs.

Of course, in rugby statistics do not tell the full story. There is no category for making the correct decision under pressure or putting other players into space is. Nonetheless, they are a useful indication of a player’s effectiveness.

Tuivasa-Sheck’s inclusion in the All Black squad looks to be a relatively safe bet but whether he is able to cement any game time is another question as New Zealand’s midfield stocks have no clear front runner and a number of outstanding candidates.

Jordie Barrett, Jack Goodhue, Tupaea, Havili, and Tuivasa-Sheck are all a chance to spend some time in the No 12 All Blacks jersey.

With four out of those five players still plying their trade this weekend, the next round of Super Rugby Pacific will be crucial to help Ian Foster and his colleagues decide which midfield options will be preferred.