'Like a duck to water': Tuivasa-Sheck already impressing Blues coach
Blues head coach Leon MacDonald is pleased with what he's seen from new recruit Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the early part of New Zealand's provincial season.
Tuivasa-Sheck was originally expected to play out the NRL season with the Warriors but surprisingly made the decision to link up with Auckland early and is expected to make his NPC debut in the coming weeks.
MacDonald has understandably been a keen observer of Tuivasa-Sheck at training, with the rugby league superstar expected to make a big impact with the Blues next year.
Tuivasa-Sheck last played rugby union during his schoolboy years but according to MacDonald, is taking to the XV-man code like a "duck to water".
“With Roger, it’s how do we make him successful from the start? We don’t want him to come in and struggle,” MacDonald told Ian Smith on the SENZ Mornings radio show.
“He’s already played 1600 minutes for the Warriors so he’s already had a fair chunk of rugby under his belt, so just managing that as well.
“He goes 100 miles an hour, he wants to train a lot which is great. It’s harnessing that energy and the skillset stuff. He’s taken to it like a duck to water really, his catch-pass is great, he’s working hard on his kicking game.
“He’s spent a lot of time on that breakdown area and it doesn’t look like he’s actually been away from the game a lot, so that’s really exciting for him."
MacDonald, however, didn't want to lump any unnecessary pressure on the 28-year-old and suggested that it will still take Tuivasa-Sheck some time to find his feet in his new code.
“There’s a difference between the training pitch and a real game so he’ll be looking forward to taking that first leap out onto the grass and getting a couple of games under his belt," he said.
The former Daly M Medal winner was expected to make his debut off the bench for Auckland this weekend but the nationwide lockdown has scuppered those plans.
Tuivasa-Sheck is likely to eventually run out in the outside backs, either at wing or fullback, when he does make his much-anticipated first appearance as a professional rugby union player.
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TBH I see SA slipping in this WC cycle Nick. France are never really a top side tho. They just cannot do the same thing consistantly. Ireland and England are more likely to become top sides than France even tho France can beat anyone on any given day. Having said that SA has a lot in their favour in this WC cycle. Hosting many tests like 2 this year v ABs, 4 in 2026 v ABs so in the 4 year cycle thats going to be 3 tests in NZ and 6 in SA.
Go to commentsWhat’s the bet that if Ireland lose we’ll have a bunch of people blaming Rob Kearney for it?
This might pizz the All Blacks off but it won’t make George Bell throw the ball any straighter or Rieko pass the ball to his wings more often.
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