'There is going to be some questions': Why Tuivasa-Sheck snub hurts the Blues' brand

Former Queensland State of Origin coach and Manly Sea Eagles CEO Sir Graham Lowe was left shocked that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was omitted from the Blues team to play the Crusaders.

The Blues selected Harry Plummer in the No 12 jersey to face the Crusaders and used Bryce Heem and AJ Lam as the reserve backs off the bench in the 15-3 loss.

The league convert was capped by the All Blacks in 2022 but the writing seems to be on the wall after the selection snub.

Lowe had a hunch that the omission might be due to Tuivasa-Sheck announcing he will return to the NRL with the New Zealand Warriors.

“I’ve tried to take a balanced view of it but I can’t believe he couldn’t make a 23-man Blues side,” Lowe told D’Arcy Waldegrave’s Newstalk ZB show.

“I think that if you ask any of the Blues players, they would totally agree.

“I see the other side of the coin where Roger has already said he’s coming back to the Warriors, he wants to make a change.

“A little bit of the thinking on their part will be why not let him move on now or not include him and let us get prepared for next year.”

Despite signing with the Warriors for a return in 2024, Tuivasa-Sheck’s goal is to make the Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks.

Not being picked for the Blues will harm those chances but Lowe said that Tuivasa-Sheck’s reputation remains in tact and it is the Blues who are doing damage to their brand.

“I don’t think this damages Roger’s brand whatsoever,” Lowe explained.

“I think this has an impact on the Blues brand if he can’t make the Blues side and they can’t aim up, well there is going to be some questions asked, surely.

“Obviously it is a big transition in any sport when you change one code to another, it’s not an easy thing.

“From what I’ve seen Roger has always looked a good player and hasn’t looked out of place in the backline, whether it be for the All Blacks or for the Blues.

“There might be little niches in the game that they might not think he is as good as others, I’m not sure, but he’s a class player.

“There are very few players that play for any organisation that have class, and Roger’s got class, doesn’t matter what jersey he is wearing.

“Many good judges of rugby would say he’s good enough to be in the All Blacks at the end of the year.”