'He’s pretty confident': Blues coach provides update on injured Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Blues coach Leon MacDonald has revealed that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is “confident” with how he’s “tracking” at the moment, as the injured midfielder nears a return to Super Rugby Pacific.

Following the Blues' thrilling loss to the Crusaders earlier this season, Tuivasa-Sheck was ruled out for “at least a month” with a hand injury.

Harry Plummer, who will make his 50^th appearance in Blues colours this weekend, has proved to be a more than handy replacement – even captaining the team in round five.

But with this year’s Rugby World Cup in France just around the corner, dual-international Tuivasa-Sheck is quickly running out of time and opportunities to showcase his talents.

Blues coach Leon MacDonald admitted the injured star could’ve played this week, but the team decided to “give him a full week of training.”

“If we really wanted to push the boat out we could probably have squeezed him in this week,” MacDonald said on Thursday.

“But he hadn’t done any contact on it and wasn’t able to do it today.

“We just felt it was better to give him a full week of training, get some good contact into his hand and make sure he’s feeling like he’s not feeling it.

“We don’t want him running out there double guessing himself.

“He’s pretty confident at the moment the way that’s tracking.”

The Blues have named a star-studded side for their round nine clash with the NSW Waratahs this weekend, which will see veteran playmaker Beauden Barrett play his 150^th Super Rugby match.

While Barrett’s milestone will undoubtedly dominate headlines, there’s a key inclusion for the Auckland-based outfit on the bench.

All Blacks loose forward Akira Ioane is set to make his return this weekend following a lengthy stint.

“He’s really hungry,” MacDonald added. “It’s been a long time since he was able to paly and he didn’t get to play for very long.

“We’ve seen a fire in the way that he’s rehabbed, a determination, and he’s in great nick and training really well.”

The Bleus are looking to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they host the Waratahs at Eden Park on Saturday.