Roger Tuivasa-Sheck named in All Blacks squad after just 10 games of professional rugby union

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been named in the All Blacks’ extended squad after playing just 10 games of professional rugby union.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s All Blacks dreams appear within reach now that he’s been named in New Zealand’s extended squad to face Ireland next month.

A premiership winner at the Sydney Roosters and Dally M medallist at the New Zealand Warriors, Tuivasa-Sheck left the NRL last season to pursue a rugby union career.

He signed with Auckland-based Super Rugby side the Blues and, playing at centre, has proven just as elusive a ballrunner as he was in the NRL.

Tuivasa-Sheck has played just 10 games of professional rugby union but has been named in the All Blacks squad at his first possible opportunity and could line up in the side’s first Tests of the year early in July.

“RTS” was one of six uncapped All Blacks named in Ian Foster’s 36-man squad on Monday alongside Leicester Fainga’anuku, Stephen Perofeta, Folau Fakatava, Pita Gus Sowakula and Aidan Ross.

“We want to congratulate the six new caps in what will be a very special day for them and their families who I’m sure will be extremely proud of their achievements,” Foster said.

“We have a new group of exciting players who will be keen to make a difference in the All Black jersey.”

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has done enough to impress All Blacks selectors. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Prior to his possible All Blacks debut, Tuivasa-Sheck will help the Blues take on the Crusaders in Saturday night’s Super Rugby final.

Tuivasa-Sheck’s All Blacks call-up comes one day after another former NRL star, Suliasi Vunivalu, was named in the Wallabies squad for the first time.

Vunivalu won two premierships playing for the Melbourne Storm but has since joined the Super Rugby’s Queensland Reds.

The All Blacks will face Ireland in Auckland for their series opener on July 2 before matches in Dunedin and Wellington on July 9 and 16, respectively.

“This will be the biggest home series since the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour for the All Blacks,” Foster said.

“There are massive expectations all around and it will be immensely competitive.”

The All Blacks are meeting Ireland in a three-Test series next month. Picture: Michael Bradley / AFP

All Blacks squad for series against Ireland

Hookers

Dane Coles (Hurricanes, Wellington)

Codie Taylor (Crusaders, Canterbury)

Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs, Waikato)

Props

Aidan Ross* (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)

George Bower (Crusaders, Otago)

Nepo Laulala (Blues, Counties Manukau)

Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues, Northland)

Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues, North Harbour)

Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs, Auckland)

Locks

Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders, Canterbury)

Brodie Retallick (Chiefs, Hawkes Bay)

Scott Barrett (Crusaders, Taranaki)

Josh Lord (Chiefs, Taranaki)

Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs, Taranaki)

Loose Forwards

Pita Gus Sowakula* (Chiefs, Taranaki)

Sam Cane – Captain (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)

Dalton Papalii (Blues, Counties Manukau)

Ardie Savea (Hurricanes, Wellington)

Akira Ioane (Blues, Auckland)

Hoskins Sotutu (Blues, Counties Manukau)

Halfbacks

Folau Fakatava* (Highlanders, Hawkes Bay)

Aaron Smith (Highlanders, Manawatu)

Finlay Christie (Blues, Tasman)

First five-eighths

Stephen Perofeta* (Blues, Taranaki)

Beauden Barrett (Blues, Taranaki)

Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders, Canterbury)

Mid-fielders

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck* (Blues, Auckland)

Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs, Waikato)

Jack Goodhue (Crusaders, Northland)

Rieko Ioane (Blues, Auckland)

David Havili (Crusaders, Tasman)

Outside backs

Leicester Fainga’anuku* (Crusaders, Tasman)

Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes, Taranaki)

Will Jordan (Crusaders, Tasman)

Caleb Clarke (Blues, Auckland)

Sevu Reece (Crusaders, Tasman)

* Uncapped players