Blair to RTS: Please don’t go

Kiwis fullback linked with code switch

Kiwis captain Adam Blair has made a plea to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to not switch codes. The New Zealand and Warriors fullback has been linked to a move to rugby when his current contract expires at the end of next season.

On the eve of the Kiwis’ World Cup opener against Samoa in Auckland tonight, Blair says he hoped Tuivasa-Sheck stayed with league.

‘‘I’ll get a year with him!’’ joked Blair at his captain’s press conference yesterday.

‘‘Please don’t go Rog, that’s all I’ve got to say.’’

Losing Tuivasa-Sheck would be a major blow to the Kiwis, Warriors and the sport in general, but for any player the lure of trying to play for the All Blacks is a big one.

‘‘I guess it’s up to the individual with their decision and you’ve got to respect their opinions in what they want to do,’’ Blair said.

‘‘If it’s your team-mate and you lose a quality player, it’s disappointing.

‘‘But it’s not up to us to make a decision, it’s for other people to look after.’’

Although Blair himself has all the skills to be a handy rugby player, at the age of 31, he says that ship has sailed when it comes to any code switch for him.

‘‘It’s too late now, I’m not going anywhere,’’ he said.

Of more pressing concern for Blair and the Kiwis though is a tricky game against Samoa coming up, and as the Kiwis have chosen not to have any warmup fixtures, it could be a baptism of fire for them.

The Kiwis are renowned for being a team that builds into tournaments, so Blair is hoping that’s not the case this time.

‘‘We’re trying to change the way the Kiwis have played in previous years,’’ Blair said.

‘‘We’re trying to build a legacy that’s higher than us.

‘‘So we want to perform to our best, we want to win the game and we want to play the way we want to play.

‘‘But it’s most important that we know individually what we’ve got to do in our jobs, be clear on those things and get it done.’’

This World Cup is set to define David Kidwell’s coaching career. He’s had a few off-field issues to deal with over his tenure, but the results haven’t been great either.

On Tuesday Kidwell said he had learned from the mistakes made previously and Blair says he’s become a coach who can now make decisions with his head and heart.

‘‘Now that he’s had a bit of time to settle into the job, [it’s] both,’’ Blair said.

‘‘The passion is always there with David and he showed that when he was a player.

‘‘Those things rub off on individuals and I know it’s important that individuals grab those things that David does with passion.

‘‘He’s been through the tough times, he’s done some hard work and he’s put a lot of effort into the World Cup team.’’

Tonight’s test is likely to be one of the most physical encounters of the tournament. Samoa have deficiencies in some parts of their game, particularly in the halves, but up front they’re as big and skilful as New Zealand are.

‘‘Every time we play Samoa, no matter who’s in their team, it’s always a big test match,’’ Blair said.

‘‘The players they have through their team are quality, but I could say the same about our team.

‘‘Every game is won in the middle and both teams have strike out wide.

‘‘So it will be important as part of the middle group to really aim up, try to get stuck in and have a bit of fun at the same time.’’

"If it's your team-mate and you lose a quality player, it's disappointing. But it's not up to us to make a decision, it's for other people to look after."

Kiwis captain Adam Blair, right, on Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, left