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All Black Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to return for Blues this weekend

03 May 2023

(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

All Blacks midfielder Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been named to return this weekend following a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a hand injury.

Late last month, Blues coach Leon MacDonald revealed that Tuivasa-Sheck was feeling “pretty confident” with how he was “tracking” ahead of his return.

Now, after a fair stint on the sidelines, the dual-international has been included in the Blues’ matchday squad as one of 10 changes to the starting XV.

Looking to win three games in a row for the first time this season, MacDonald has named a star-studded side to take on Moana Pasifika at Eden Park.

Among the changes in the forward pack, Kurt Eklund is set to start at hooker while All Black Akira Ioane will return to the starting side after a successful return from injury off the bench.

Playmaker Harry Plummer has shifted from inside centre to flyhalf, and will partner Taufa Funaki in the halves.

As for regular flyhalf Beauden Barrett, he’ll line up in the No. 15 jersey this week.

With the playoffs just around the corner, coach MacDonald spoke about the importance of the team “getting our mindset right” ahead of their clash with Moana.

“It’s been about switching on and getting our mindset right for this weekend,” MacDonald said.

“One of the hardest challenges in sport is consistency and I’ve been encouraging the boys to find what works for them to ensure they have a ruthless mindset to take on Moana Pasifika this weekend.

“It’s starting to be a pretty congested middle of the points table as the playoff race heats up.

“We need to continue accumulating points as we’ve done in recent weeks to keep pushing for home advantage in the quarterfinals.”

Flanker Dalton Papali’i will captain the side again this week, when he comes up against roommates and Moana Pasifika stars Ezekiel Lindenmuth and Sam Slade.

“I live with Ezekiel Lindenmuth and Sam Slade from the Moana team so it’s fair to say bragging rights and washing up duties at our house are on the line this weekend!” Papali’i said in a statement.

“We’re good mates and have played together at provincial level so I’m looking forward to locking horns against them in the Super Rugby arena.

“We can’t sit on our hands this week and think it’s just going to happen for us, we have to go at this game and solidify our spot in that top four.

“Moana Pasifika have shown they can score tries from anywhere and when they get a roll on, they can be hard to stop.”

The match is set to kick-off at 7.05pm NZST on Saturday at Auckland’s Eden Park.

Blues team to take on Moana Pasifika

Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Kurt Eklund
Marcel Renata
James Tucker
Sam Darry
Akira Ioane
Dalton Papali’i
Cam Suafoa
Taufa Funaki
Harry Plummer
Caleb Clarke
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Bryce Heem
AJ Lam
Beauden Barrett

Replacements:

Soane Vikena
Joshua Fusitu’a
James Lay
Tom Robinson
Anton Segner
Finlay Christie
Rieko Ioane
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Not considered: Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Stephen Perofeta, Hoskins Sotutu, Tanielu Telea, Mark Telea, Patrick Tuipulotu

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 9 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 9 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 9 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 9 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

37 Go to comments

NB 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

37 Go to comments

NB 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

37 Go to comments

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All Black Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to return for Blues this weekend

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