Ian Foster says Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is moving closer to a first test start, despite being left out of the All Blacks' recent plans.
After a much-anticipated cross-code switch from NZ Warriors at the start of 2022, 29-year-old Tuivasa-Sheck has risen through rugby's ranks at pace.
Despite missing out on what should have been his first taste of NPC with Auckland - cancelled by last year's COVID-19 lockdown - Tuivasa-Sheck impressed for the Blues on their run to this year's Super Rugby final.
An All Blacks call-up followed, before making his test debut off the bench in the series decider against Ireland.
But a cameo of a few minutes in New Zealand's 32-22 defeat in Wellington was the last sight of Tuivasa-Sheck in an All Blacks side, not even making the bench in two tests against South Africa, nor last week's defeat to Argentina in Christchurch.
And again left out of Foster's plans for this weekend's second clash against the Pumas, played in Hamilton, Tuivasa-Sheck will instead get the chance to play his second match for Auckland in the NPC, after starting the 21-17 defeat to Bay of Plenty last month.
Quizzed about his plans for Tuivasa-Sheck, Foster made it clear that the former rugby league star is continuing to improve in the 15-man code, but will need to be patient for his chance.
"We're starting to see a pretty clear [picture]," Foster said. "He's a fast learner.
"His work from the attacking side, particularly getting involved around our forwards around the park, is something that he hasn't spent a lot of time on during Super Rugby.
"That's been taking a little while. His instincts at the breakdown are the No.1 growth point for him, and again we're seeing some really good strides in that space.
"He's another one of the guys that will be playing NPC this weekend, and there's some aspects he can go away work on in that space.
"Overall, [I'm] really, really pleased with the growth. Now it's just about waiting for the opportunity."
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