Tuivasa-Sheck excited about taking big step up in rugby career in 2023
While the rest of his All Blacks mates had their feet up or were, at best, running water, Blues second five-eighth Roger Tuivasa-Sheck wanted to dive back into his rugby at the first opportunity. There was no holding him back from yesterday’s pre-season opener against the Hurricanes in Auckland.
And who could blame him after spending most of the back half of last year – his first in the 15-man code after a celebrated rugby league career – as a bit-part player with the All Blacks, making just three appearances and logging a total of 90 minutes in his first taste of international rugby.
But Tuivasa-Sheck, who scored a quality runaway try in the Blues’ come-from-behind 28-21 win at the Waitemata club, shrugged off any frustrations he might have felt at his lack of opportunity under Ian Foster and said he felt ready to take it to another level in 2023.
It’s why he put his hand up to play week one, when All Blacks nationwide were being held back with their long year in mind. And it’s why coach Leon MacDonald had no hesitation in having him out there for the opening 40 – with Hollywood star Jason Momoa watching on the sidelines.
‘‘He’s had feedback in and around that contact and tackle area, and I thought today he fronted there really well, and breaking away for that nice try shows he’s got genuine pace,’’ said a mostly content MacDonald after a predictably scrappy first-up effort. ‘‘Even watching him around the park, he’s organising and bossing and starting to become that natural leader.
‘‘He feels like he understands the game now, whereas this time last year he was looking around trying to work out where he was supposed to stand.’’
Tuivasa-Sheck said he bypassed the delayed start because he was sure game time, not rest, was what he needed. ‘‘I think I’ll make more gains being on the field and learning
my craft,’’ he said, pronouncing himself content with his first steps for 2023.
Tuivasa-Sheck has his work cut out making the cutoff for the World Cup squad, especially now Jordie Barrett has been shifted into the No 12 position, but he made it clear yesterday he’s more than up for the challenge.
The former Warriors and Kiwis star felt far more prepared to stamp his mark on the Blues in his sophomore season of Super Rugby Pacific. ‘‘I understand more,’’ he said. ‘‘I can have three or four things to focus on and can put my groundwork into those specific things, whereas last year I was poking at everyone.’’
MacDonald was part content, part frustrated with the first-up pre-season effort as his team kept the Hurricanes scoreless in the second 40, after trailing 21-14 at the break. The late defections of halfbacks Sam Nock and Taufa Funaki and five-eighth Harry Plummer tested the home side’s depth there, but second-half tries to flanker Rob Rush and fullback Zarn Sullivan got them home. Patrick Tuipulotu also tucked away 40 impressive minutes in his return to the franchise.