For the second time in three weeks since announcing his return to NZ Warriors, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been left out of the Blues' matchday 23 altogether, not named to face the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
As the Blues travel south to face their arch-rivals, Tuivasa-Sheck will watch from the stands, with Harry Plummer the preferred option in the No.12 jersey, shifting out after starting at first-five in last week's win over Moana Pasifika.
On the bench, Bryce Heem has been selected to offer cover at No.22, capable of playing both midfield and in the outside backs.
Since announcing his rugby union exit, Tuivasa-Sheck didn't feature for the Blues didn't feature away to Fijian Drua, with coach Leon MacDonald stating he didn't want to throw him into such a physical game on the way back from a hand injury.
Last week, Tuivasa-Sheck started in what was a rotated Blues side that defeated Moana Pasifika, but was substituted off for Rieko Ioane with his side 22-17 down.
While MacDonald has always maintained 29-year-old Tuivasa-Sheck's commitment remains with the Blues until the end of the season, the reality seems that the returning rugby league star has been outright overtaken at Super Rugby level.
"We had some tough calls [to make] this week, definitely," said MacDonald. "Roger was definitely one of them.
"We're really happy to have the team we've got out there. We're really confident in what we've picked.
"The guys that are playing are playing because they've earned the right through good form."
To his credit, though, MacDonald says Tuivasa-Sheck has responded well to his demotion, as he still bids to break into Ian Foster's plans for this year's Rugby World Cup in France.
"Roger's great," MacDonald continued. "[It was] a tough decision for him.
"Harry's form at 12 has been exceptional this year. He's a different type of player.
"We've also had Bryce Heem who did the job for us at 12, gave us a real direct physicality.
"We knew he was an option as well. We had three players there - and one spot.
"It made it pretty tough."
