Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is keen to be in the All Blacks squad at this year’s World Cup in France and part of his plan to reach that goal was to play in the Blues’ first pre-season fixture of the season, against the Hurricanes in Auckland on Saturday.
Although the Blues’ All Blacks players were allowed to sit out that encounter, the former rugby league star was desperate to play as he is determined to continue his education in the 15-man game, after making his Blues debut in 2022.
Lack of game-time at Test level
The 29-year-old’s decision is easy to understand as he only made three appearances at Test level in 2022 for New Zealand, under the guidance of All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, and played for a total of just 90 minutes.
Tuivasa-Sheck, who scored a try in the Blues’ come-from-behind 28-21 triumph over the Hurricanes on Saturday, said he wanted to play as he felt game-time, not rest, was what he needed improve his skill-set.
“I think I’ll make more gains being on the field and learning my craft,” he told Stuff, while adding that he is happy with his early 2023 form. “You make it through the first 40, and that was the box I really wanted to tick, getting some fitness into my game, and go back and watch these clips and see where I can grow from today.”
Tuivasa-Sheck is aware that a tough task awaits if he wants to make New Zealand’s World Cup squad, especially after Jordie Barrett cemented his position as the All Blacks’ first choice inside centre in 2022.
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“I’m really excited about my second year of rugby,” he said. “Hopefully I can be a lot calmer in the mind, not be chasing and worrying about where I need to be and hesitating.
“That’s my theme this year – try to play a bit more freely and be in the right places.”
Despite rumours of an early return to rugby league, Tuivasa-Sheck made it clear that he is still committed to rugby union and is looking forward to the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.
“I’m really excited about my second year of rugby,” he said. “Hopefully I can be a lot calmer in the mind, not be chasing and worrying about where I need to be and hesitating. That’s my theme this year – try to play a bit more freely and be in the right places.”
The code hopper is far more prepared to stamp his authority on the Blues in his second 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, ‘bro, what do I need to work on?’, linking up with Caleb [Clarke], with different people, trying to work on a million things. Now I have a year under my belt and I can focus on the three or four things that I feel are key for me.”
Although Tuivasa-Sheck only played for the opening 40 minutes, Blues head coach Leon MacDonald was happy with his player’s effort during that period.
Good performance
“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 MacDonald. “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. Some really good signs there early on.”