Rugby league convert Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been released by the All Blacks just days after his first test start.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has sent Tuivasa-Sheck and Braydon Ennor – the starting midfielders in the scratchy 38-31 win over Japan in Tokyo – to play for Leon MacDonald’s All Blacks XV.
The Japan test was Tuivasa-Sheck’s third appearance for the All Blacks since his much-hyped move from the Warriors.
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The 29-year-old made his debut off the bench against Ireland in Wellington in July and was also a substitute in the 40-14 victory over Australia at Eden Park in September.
In Tokyo, Tuivasa-Sheck started at inside centre – a position once filled by another high-profile league convert, Sonny Bill Williams.
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He earned a 7 out of 10 in Stuff’s post-match player ratings, with writer Aaron Goile noting he was “welcomed to a first test start by being run over by [Tevita] Tatafu, but hung tough defensively, and ran hard without a heap of room offered, distributed well, including a lovely inside ball for a Sevu Reece try. Off in 69th minute.”
The All Blacks XV play Ireland A in Dublin on Friday and then face a Barbarians side, coached by Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson, at Tottenham Stadium on November 13.
Tuivasa-Sheck and Ennor’s releases are a sign the All Blacks will look to Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane and Anton Lienert-Brown to contest the midfield roles against Wales in Cardiff this weekend.
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