Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

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

By Ben Smith
Credit: Derek Morrison / www.photosport.nz

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'It's an All Black discussion': The pair of young Hurricanes tipped for black jerseys The pair of young Hurricanes tipped for black jerseys
Search