Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s first official match for the Blues was certainly one to remember.
The code-hopping Kiwi, having plied his trade for a decade in the NRL with rugby league sides the Sydney Roosters and New Zealand Warriors, showed glimpses of the ability that has had him already touted as an All Blacks prospect.
But RTS and the reigning Super Rugby Trans-Tasman champions would have their hearts broken at the very last gasp, an 80th-minute try from Ardie Savea followed by a nerveless conversion from Ruben Love seeing the Hurricanes triumph in a classic, 33-32.
It capped off a run of three tries in the final ten minutes for the ‘Canes, as they produced one of the more remarkable comebacks in recent seasons.
However, Tuivasa-Sheck had already done enough to stamp himself as a key part of the Blues’ title defence this season, with his pace and playmaking ability a perfect fit.
Only at the end did his influence wane, missing a critical tackle in the final play which saw Savea capitalise.
Former All Black Israel Dagg had nothing but praise for Tuivasa-Sheck’s debut, telling Stan Sport he could easily become a long-term number 12 option for the national side… or indeed anywhere on the pitch.
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“He’s proved me wrong – he’s a 12,” Dagg said.
“And if he can play 12, he can play anywhere.
“I reckon he’ll be disappointed, because of that last little moment, he missed that solid tackle. But I want to say, Roger, that doesn’t define your game, mate. You were absolutely outstanding for 78 minutes, so keep your head up!
“He did so many positives out there. His distribution, his offloads, his running game, that’s what he’s in this game for. He’s so destructive, and he’s just going to get better and better.”
Roger Tuivasa-Scheck of the Blues gives instructions during the round two Super Rugby Pacific match between the Blues and the Hurricanes. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Former All Blacks great Mils Muliaina agreed, telling Stan Sport Tuivasa-Sheck’s influence on the game was ‘electric’.
“Right from the get-go, he was absolutely involved, got both hands on the ball. It was electric – those offloads!” Muliaina gushed.
“I know he’ll be disappointed, it’s important that he keeps his head up because he’s going to be influential for his team.”
Coming in the aftermath of the deaths of rugby legends Va’aiga Tuigamala and Joeli Vidiri, the match was filled with emotion aplenty, with Caleb Clarke motioning to the sky after a first-half try for the Blues.
While Tuivasa-Sheck starred, just as impactful for the Hurricanes was Salesi Rayasi, who scored three tries in a match-winning effort.
The third of those came in the 76th minute, powering over in the corner to give the Hurricanes a sniff, before Savea secured the chocolates at the last.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I think he will be a better rugby player than SBW. SBWs talents wernt always the usual rugby skillsets. RTS looks good when you consider that was his first game. A real shame he didnt get a NPC in last year.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Totally. If he works on his offloads he could have that as a specific key skill that he brings, reminiscent of another league convert who didn’t have a bad AB career.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I think his offloads in traffic were very good Paulo. Plus his work ethic and his run it up skills. The things he struggled with are things he will learn but the things he showed that were good are natural skillsets. I think he showed enough to say he could well be an AB at the WC.
Ben
Guest
CUW..you said last year the Hurricanes should be cut from Super rugby as they didnt have enough good players...care to expand on that now??
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
The best coach Reiko has gad was Titch, back in his Seven's days, Bro. He demanded the best, back then, & that is why he oversaw NZ winning over 10 titles, & that's titles I'm talking about, not tournaments.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah maybe but Reiko has has quite a few coaches in his early career and he is very very talented of course but he is lazy and thats not always coachable unless the coach has the b^&%s to drop him. And Reiko has always been to good to drop at most levels of rugby. Hopefully the RTS example playing inside of Reiko may show him that working harder has its rewards.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Have you thought it just might be the coach Jacko??? Like even his ability to have Reiko ( like Foster ) ready to play at centre? He, ( Reiko ) needs to be taught how to play in the position, as the two coaches I'm referring to, seem to lack that ability. His passing, vision, overall skillset in that position has been shown out time & again, as not up to standard. If McDonald can't do the job, then give it to Schmidt, as at least he's had international experience, & a successfully proven one at that, Bro.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Nice shuffle there Otaki, I would actually like to see BB at 10, Clarke at 12, Telea at 13, Reiko and RTS on the wings and Sullivan out back.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Great comment CUW
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Good to see RTS looking more and more like a union player. I really liked how he pulled trigger every time he received the ball to carry from 1st 5. He bolted to the gain line every time to keep the D line flat back on their heels forcing them into a 2 man shoulders on jam which then allowed RTS to reach through the line and offload. In the trials he would wait for the defence to come forward and allow them to take his space and weapons (wicked step). That essentially is someone who has learnt lessons from previous games. I am still eager to see him offload then look for 2nd touches which is where I think we will see him at his most lethal in open play and ad lib. His defence, well its a work on. He is still reaching because he's not defending through the ball carrier but that's an easy fix. He just needs to add a few more steps to his lead up to the point of contact. In clearing rucks and assist tackles he lacks power as he struggles with cleaning rucks and removing spoilers around the ball carrier. But is usually the case with new NRL players crossing over. He will fix that no doubt. Is he the future 12 for the AB's...unfair to RTS to say he is and also to the actual experienced 12's he will be testing himself against when he meets the Crusaders and Chiefs. He still needs to sort out his lateral long pass and add a grubber or touch finder to his game. For now its just great to watch him evolve his game into a union player.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Schmidt was doing drill with forwards before the game. Much more than mentor.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah he will be disappointed for sure. I think he has a lot to be happy with but I also think he isnt a guy to sit back and just be happy. Im thinking his work ethic may force Ioane to work harder too.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Was really a response to the guy having a go at rugby for apparent poor defence. It’s true though that it was a really poor 1 on 1 tackle attempt that allowed the breakout and one that he’ll be disappointed about I’m sure.
Sylvester
Guest
He wasn't the strongest 1-on-1 tackler in league, but he should be better in a midfield pattern with more game time.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
thats harsh. There were 4 other players who attempted to shut down that movement and failed too. Just keeping Savea out wide would have meant a far harder kick but they failed to even do that. 1st rugby game for 10+ years too.
CUW
Roar Rookie
not sure of the blues strategy - to play at break neck speed early on and hope to hold on at the end. hurricanes showed last week they are good in the last ten - and that again happened. blues ran out of steam by that time and looked very disjointed.y blues have a lot of good players but leadership seems to be missing - after big Tom went off. maybe BB coming back will get some sanity in there.
CUW
Roar Rookie
to put things into perspective - he was much better than SBW when he came to rugger union. but he wasnt what Dagg says - understandable former players want to keep the fire burning but RTS is not going to be allblack 12 just yet
CUW
Roar Rookie
it wasnt double movement - it was not releasing after tackle and going up and running again.
Phil
Roar Rookie
A bit like his miss tackle to lose the game?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I wouldn’t have said he starred, but he had a good solid game. Attack was good and is the most transferable of his skills. Defence and positioning are obvious work ons. Realistically, there was nothing surprising about his game. People thinking he would be an instant finished product, or fail miserably we’re both just fooling themselves. Targeting a 12 position makes sense too, as it is perhaps one of the more pressing problem positions for the ABs. With no one really owning the jersey for a number of years now. Might need to put on a few more kilos though. Overall a good start. As for the blues… they are a team of champions who, aside from last years bonus points race, have failed to become a champion team. Saw a bit of this last night. They just couldn’t pull far enough away from a spirited Canes team, who ultimately had enough heart and belief to win by a nose.