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All Blacks coach Ian Foster on Tuivasa-Sheck's latest move to the wing
By Sam Smith
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been named on the wing for the second straight week for Auckland’s quarter-final against North Harbour in Albany which has ‘pleased’ All Blacks head coach Ian Foster.
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The former NRL star has been exclusively used as a second five-eighth since swapping codes, forming a midfield combination with Rieko Ioane at the Blues during Super Rugby Pacific.
Tuivasa-Sheck has been used sparingly by Ian Foster with just two bench appearances so far in his brief All Black career, but his move to the wing with Auckland has the support of the All Blacks head coach.
“I’ve got a great relationship with Alama [Ieremia] and he’s always keen to know how they can help,” Foster told Martin Devlin on The Platform.
“We had a conversation around if he had an opportunity at the end of a game to slip him in for a few minutes on the wing, just to give him a different view from a versatility and understanding the game viewpoint.
“Did I ask them to start him on the wing? No, I didn’t. That’s their call. But I was really interested because I think it will be good for Roger to have a couple of different experiences.
“He’s a smart man, desperate to learn, and maybe some minutes in a different position will give him a different perspective on the game.
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“I think he’ll grow through that, and I’m actually pretty pleased with it.”
The All Blacks No 12 picture has become crowded after fullback Jordie Barrett’s impressive showing in the final Rugby Championship fixture against the Wallabies at Eden Park.
With Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue yet to return, Tuivasa-Sheck faces being on the outer next year after Foster opted for Barrett’s move even with Quinn Tupaea and David Havili out injured.
If Tuivasa-Sheck can offer versatility on the right wing he might become a more valuable option for the All Blacks coaches.
RTS fails to get involved in games and likes to come out of the defensive line leaving a gap for the opposition. He is a good player but certainly not a finished product and not All Blacks standard.