Zarn Sullivan's breakout campaign with the Blues finishes with a flourish as the young fullback draws Beauden Barrett comparisons
Before the Super Rugby Aotearoa season kicked off, many fans were curious how Blues coach Leon MacDonald would utilise new utility back Zarn Sullivan.
The 20-year-old was a standout performer for Auckland last year in his first full-time season with the province but spent his formative years at first five for King’s College. With the likes of Otere Black, Harry Plummer and Stephen Perofeta on the books, however, there weren’t exactly vacant positions in the matchday 23 for Sullivan to fill.
Still, the youngster boasted enormous potential and many expected to see Sullivan rushed straight into the action.
MacDonald, himself a former All Blacks fullback, took a more conservative approach – not handing his charge a Super Rugby debut until the Blues’ final game of their Aotearoa campaign, a dead-rubber match with the Chiefs.
Sullivan wore the No 15 jersey for that game in place of regular fullback Perofeta and the 20-year-old looked right at home – though was admittedly lining up against an inexperienced Chiefs lineup.
What a way to sign off your career with the @BluesRugbyTeam ? #SuperRugbyTT #BLUvHIGhttps://t.co/W1p1OVFplO
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He finished the game with a well-taken try – courtesy of his handy turn of pace – but it was his kicking game that was most impressive, keeping the Chiefs back three honest and minimising opportunities for easy metres on the counter-attack.
When Super Rugby Trans-Tasman kicked off two weeks later, Sullivan retained his spot against the Rebels and hasn’t looked back since, starting the remainder of the Blues’ matches, including Saturday evening’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final victory.
MacDonald was impressed with the performance put on by his young fullback, with Sullivan again peppering kicks in behind the Highlanders outside backs to minimise the opportunities handed to danger men like Jona Nareki and Josh Ioane.
That’s especially important for the Blues, whose forwards are some of the bigger players in the competition, which naturally comes at the cost of some mobility.
“Zarn has been doing a little bit of what Beauden [Barrett] was doing for us last year with his left foot and having kicking options for us,
MacDonald said.
“It’s an important part of our game, getting that kick balance right, because of our big men. We can’t ask them to defend, then ask them to scrum, then ask them to tackle their hearts out and then we can’t run them around by chucking the ball everywhere. Zarn’s been really good in that space.”
In 2015, the #AllBlacks had the luxury of picking from the likes of Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Lima Sopoaga, Colin Slade and Tom Taylor to wear No 10. That luxury is long gone – but perhaps a new dawn is approaching.
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For a gauge on how important Sullivan’s role is to the side, just look to Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon, who acknowledged that a big factor in the final result was the Blues’ dominant field control.
“Our territory wasn’t quite right tonight,” he said following the match. “We didn’t quite get in there and Zarn Sullivan and the other boys were putting it behind us a lot and had a great kicking game.”
It’s one thing for an experienced player to take a big game by the scruff of the neck, but it’s another entirely for a 20-year-old to do the same.
MacDonald also acknowledged one big advantage that Sullivan has over teammate Perofeta – his sizeable frame.
“He’s been physical – I thought our back three’s actually become one of the more physical back threes in the comp,” MacDonald said. “Bryce [Heem], in particular, has lead the way there and Mark’s come back after being dropped, he’s come back and brought a real edge.
“[Sullivan] is a 100kg fullback who’s strong in the tackle as well. It’s so pleasing to see young guys like that step up in the big time and he’s enjoying himself and he’s got a lot to offer. He’s just starting really.”
While regular first five Otere Black is now heading overseas, Sullivan is likely to remain at fullback in 2022 thanks to the return of Beauden Barrett, who’s spent the season on sabbatical in Japan.
Code-hopper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is also joining the outfit next season and could slot in across the backline but MacDonald is confident that Sullivan will continue to develop in the No 15 jersey and that 2021 is just the beginning for the youngster.
“We’ll keep him at the back at the moment,” the coach said. “We’ve obviously got Beaudie there and Oates is going but Stephen Perofeta is playing good rugby and you saw Harry [Plummer] step up to the mark so we’re pretty blessed with some good depth at 10.
“And at the moment, I think, just nailing one job at the moment. And I think he’s got the attributes to become a very good 15. I see the skillset’s perfect and he just keeps growing in confidence and understanding, there’s no reason why he couldn’t become a 15 full-time.”
Sullivan and Plummer will both link up with Auckland for the upcoming NPC season and will likely operate as a playmaking duo, in a similar vein to Sullivan’s combination with Black at the Blues.
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments