‘He’s got the X-factor’: Meet Zane Sullivan, the pick of the Blues’ next generation fullbacks

Get used to seeing Zarn Sullivan in a Blues shirt.

The Blues have been careful with the introduction of their rookie outside backs this season.

Talented Taranaki prospect Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is yet to see gametime; AJ Lam makes his starting debut — after claiming two late tries off the bench — tonight in Melbourne on the left wing vacated by Caleb Clarke’s move to the New Zealand Sevens team.

Then there’s the silky Sullivan. He’s one to watch; possibly the pick of the Blues’ next gen.

Two weeks ago, the 20-year-old scored a second-half try after skinning Sean Wainui to savour his Super Rugby debut against the Chiefs. The occasion was all the more special by opposing older brother Bailyn, who played his first match in two years on the wing for the Chiefs.

“I would definitely call it a dream come true. I didn’t really expect to get a chance in my first year. That night was unreal,” Sullivan said of a match where his older sister, mum, dad, partner, step mum, cousins and uncles watched from the Eden Park stands.

“They came from everywhere. It was unreal to have my brother on the field, my family there. I couldn’t get a better debut. I was pretty speechless about it but I loved it and celebrating with the family.

“There was a point where Bailyn was on the ground and I put my hand out and he tried to reach for it and I took it away — you stay down there man. He’s struggled to get into that side so it was good to see him get a crack. He played well.”

Banter aside, Sullivan has the chance to push his case for the long-problematic Blues fullback role over the next six weeks of Super Rugby Transtasman.

Taranaki playmaker Stephen Perofeta has occupied the role for the Blues this season but as a natural 10, his preference is to challenge Otere Black and Harry Plummer for first five-eighths duties. Perofeta will be given the chance to do that in the coming weeks after being sent back to club rugby this week.

Perofeta’s positional shift leaves Sullivan in the box seat to press his claims at fullback, before Warriors captain Roger TuivasaSheck arrives in 2022.

Beauden Barrett returns to the Blues next year too but, like Perofeta, he’s made no secret of his intent to play first five where his influence on any team is much more profound.

The upshot is Sullivan, should he impress against the five Australian teams, could go a long way to proving he is the long-term answer at 15 for the Blues.