Opinion: What was the point in calling Roger Tuivasa-Sheck into the All Blacks if Ian Foster and co. don't pick him to start?
Thursday's team announcement - where Jordie Barrett was given the nod at second-five - is all the confirmation needed to see the glaring reality.
The All Blacks don't have faith in Tuivasa-Sheck.
Since his test debut in the series deciding loss to Ireland, Tuivasa-Sheck has featured more for Auckland than he has for the All Blacks, in the hope of getting acquainted with the 15-man code after years in the NRL.
But with the Bledisloe Cup locked away for another year, and the Rugby Championship inconsequential in the scheme of the 2023 World Cup, there was no better time than now to throw Tuivasa-Sheck in the deep end.
David Havili and Quinn Tupaea have joined an already crowded midfield injury ward, along with Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue, leaving Tuivasa-Sheck as the only specialist left standing.
But still, he can't earn a start at No.12?
There are naysayers who state Tuivasa-Sheck isn't up to the task of being an All Black, in some misguided view that the NRL isn't on the same level as test rugby, but that's just not true.
Since his arrival from NZ Warriors at the start of the year, Tuivasa-Sheck has met every challenge thrown at him.
Even after a shoulder injury disrupted the early part of his season, Tuivasa-Sheck was a week-to-week improver for the Blues at Super Rugby level, leading to his All Blacks selection in the first place.
Is there still more he can learn? Of course. But he's not going to learn that sitting in the stands or on the bench for the All Blacks.
But this latest exclusion should serve as the last straw. If the All Blacks are playing other players out of position instead of him, there's no point in trying to force the issue any longer.
The only question from here is what next? Is it worth hoping for a start on this year's end of year tour? Or is time running out for Tuivasa-Sheck to prove he's on the same level as his injured counterparts.
Simply put, the next best step might just be one in another direction.
With 195 NRL games already under his belt, a return to the 13-man code could actually just be the right thing for him.
Tuivasa-Sheck was, all things considered, one of the best to ever pull on a jersey for the Warriors.
He occupies the same breath as Stacey Jones and Simon Mannering as a Warriors great, and needs to be playing at a higher level than the NPC.
Will it be upsetting to see him forced to walk away from his All Blacks dream? Absolutely.
But if the likes of Benji Marshall can be considered an NRL great - with over 300 games at club level - after an unsuccessful union stint, Tuivasa-Sheck can do the same.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's cross code switch was a risk for all parties, but it was one worth taking.
And while it might not have worked out, it's better to try and fail than not try at all.
Alex Powell is a Newshub sport digital producer
