Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could be on his way out from the New Zealand Warriors, and the game of rugby league in general.
Reports have been floating around for years that his end goal was always to make the move back to the sport he played growing up, and vie for an All Blacks jersey.
The move may come as a surprise to many, but many within the Warriors camp and even in the opposing sport predicted a change would come for Tuivasa-Sheck.
With the pending move over to such a talented and full squad, the question needs to be asked: where will Tuivasa-Sheck fit in to the All Blacks’ plans?
From a stature perspective, and skill-based scenario, Tuivasa-Sheck suits the mould of a rugby fullback, or possibly a right wing.
With the All Blacks in the past years, the left-wing position (11) tends to be the power runner, and the right hand side (14) tends to be a more skilled, second fullback-based position.
Assuming that is correct, Tuivasa-Sheck would be looking at either jersey 14 or 15.
A quick scan of the All Blacks’ stocks in that position, and it asks the question, will he be good enough to take one of those jerseys?
Look at the current crop of outside backs for those two positions: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Sevu Reece, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane and Will Jordan to name a few.
(Matt King/Getty Images)
Now, I will go out on a limb and say as talented and skilled as Tuivasa-Sheck is – and I am a big big fan of him – I cannot see him overtaking the majority of those players in a two-year scenario.
Here is what I pitch for Tuivasa-Sheck: 13, the centre position, is where he should try and earn his mark.
The All Blacks’ midfield has been in a bit of disarray since the legendary pairing of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith. A few combos were due the opportunity to take over, but to no avail. The midfield is still very much up for grabs.
Why 13, you may ask?
The generic build of a 12 tends to change a lot. For me growing up, 12 was a robust runner, who would just hit the line as hard as he could, and keep doing it all game. The game has changed where a 12 now can essentially be a second play-making option, but still have that running flare about them.
The typical 13 now is very different. Usually they were very sound defenders, who can read defensive lines fairly well, and may take a few cut-out hit-ups off set plays.
Currently, however, there are a few 13s who stand out, none more than fellow league convert Semi Radradra and English import Manu Tuilagi. Both of them can hit a line very well and run great angles. Both are strong runners of the ball, and can slightly manage to handle themselves on defence.
The All Blacks were using Anton Lienert-Brown for the majority of the year at 13, with the idea of Jack Goodhue also. Both can run good lines, with the former being a better defensive player.
With many pundits asking for Lienert-Brown to come off the bench to provide that awesome spark he does, the midfield tends to be wide open.
Tuivasa-Sheck can survive at 13 for many reasons.
(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
He suits the Conrad Smith mould a lot more than the Radradra or Tuilagi mould. He is a strong runner of the ball, runs great lines from the fullback position in league, and can read and tackle very well.
Can you imagine running a set play off of a scrum, with a teammate throwing a cut-out ball to their centre Tuivasa-Sheck, who can use his footwork prior to hitting the line or his speed? Scary.
He would need to sharpen up his reads, as he will be defending from the front line, more than the back like in league. But his footwork, pace and toughness could really make him a match-up nightmare for opposition 13s.
Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll – who was named the 13 of the last decade – and I daresay his runner up, Conrad Smith, both had similar styles of play. They did not have the biggest frame like Tuivasa-Sheck, but perfected their craft.
They tackled well, ran hard and good angles, and never altered from that. They both adapted to a few grubbers for their outside men, but both tended to stay within their lanes.
Tuivasa-Sheck should follow their mould, perfect his defensive reads, use his God-given abilities in pace and footwork, and he can definitely make a run for a vacant 13 All Blacks jersey.
If Nehe Milner-Skudder can make the All Blacks’ squad in one full year of rugby, so can Tuivasa-Sheck.
Bring him into black.
thebleedingobvious
Roar Rookie
I don't follow league but my first impression watching Tuivasa-sheck highlights, is he's a rugby winger. A Milner Skudder step, in a bigger body and probably more pace than Nehe. Don't know what he's like in the air (gotta be secure for AB contention) or what his kicking game ie. kick return is like. Can't forget George Bridge, something of a standard in wing skill execution but Roger is a better athlete. What i do know is Roger is gonna be a better winger than Jordie Barrett. I want to like Jordie and would, if he didn't make mistakes in execution and judgment and has been played out of position, for little benefit, by Foster. If Beauden is 15 and that's in doubt after his flat season last year, he's gonna be pressured by Will Jordan, maybe even Jordie as a 15. My own opinion is Tuivasa sheck has got the right stuff to be an All Black, a good man of great character and a great athlete, goal driven, who'll make the AB's and probably the world cup team and that would be a great achievement. I also think he's more sincere in his attitude to playing Rugby than SBW was and less ego in it for him.
SAVAGE
Guest
Well, the NZRU didn't muck about in starting the poaching game again. Look at whats being offered by some investment firm https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/exclusive-new-zealand-rugby-field-465-million-private-investment-offer-from-us-tech-giants-silver-lake/FSGCKRZ3LVO4Y2EKJ4XWIEMXH4/
MO
Guest
cheers.
Panana split
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: You love bringing that one game up Terry. Good for Tuilagi two wins from 10 encounters against the All Blacks is better than most.
Unders
Roar Pro
Agree Carlin, Havilli was on fire. What an underrated player he is
Unders
Roar Pro
Do you mean Eng and RSA are slightly ahead in general or in backs? NZ definitely have the best backline in the world by some way imo
Unders
Roar Pro
Doubt CC has the passing or defensive game for centre at test level sadly. Keep him on the wing. Electric.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl-2021-warriors-captain-roger-tuivasa-sheck-rugby-defection-kiwi-criticism-015138278.html looks like she's on
Malo
Guest
What a backline. 9. Smith 10. Barrett 11. Clarke 12. RTS 13. Ponga 14. Reiko 15. Barrett
MO
Guest
I thought Caleb Clarke was a centre in juniors (he's still only 21 or so). If so then he may be moving in to 13. I haven't watched enough league the last couple of years but is RTS really that good?
Scotty P
Roar Rookie
Seems like you haven’t been following Auckland and Blues rugby over the last couple of years. They are on the up.
mushi
Roar Guru
Wow I thought kiwi's were reknown for their tounge in cheek sense of humour. :laughing:
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Willie. Seems a big ask for RTS to adapt to centre within a year but I am very excited to see him come and play, will be intriguing to see where he is used. No doubt he will make a success of it. One thing I am unsure of, does he have much of a kicking game? Will struggle at the back (if that where goes) at international level if he does not.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yeah. Taking those hit ups coming off his own line.
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
hmmm..dunno what sort of response is that..
ojp44
Guest
With a handle like Hard Yards, it would have to be somewhere in the engine room wouldnt it ?
Are you saying he cant kick?
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
Stomach bugs do happen sometimes. Are you suggesting that because the All Blacks have reported this on 2 occasions, the 1995 RWC final and 2012 vs England, that that is a trend? I know the 1995 report is contentious because the report came after the game, but the 2012 game, in which they caught the Norovirus, was reported before the game, quite a nasty virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It seems to me that you are suggesting that it is just an excuse for the loss? Do you think that the Norovirus caught a couple of days before a game would effect performance on field ? If so, are you then suggesting that even though the ABs had only lost 6 previous games vs England in 100 years, and had won the previous 9 games, that they all made up a story about the virus to cover up for a predicted loss, and continued to cover it up? That would be in heavy conspiracy territory, or perhaps just tall poppy syndrome where AB fans are not allowed to mention that a performance was probably downgraded due to sickness? All my point is, is just saying that the AB were probably not running at 100%, which I think is a reasonable claim to make. I write all this, because I am not sure exactly what your point is? Can you please elaborate some more?
mushi
Roar Guru
NZ stomach bugs
Have a lovely day Nat