Auckland Blues captain Tom Robinson joins Cheree Kinnear to preview their clash against the Melbourne Rebels along with the weekend's sport. Video / NZ Herald
Get used to seeing Zarn Sullivan in a Blues shirt.
The Blues have been careful with the introduction of their rookie outside backs this season.
Talented Taranaki prospect Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is yet to see gametime; AJ Lam makes his starting debut - after claiming two late tries off the bench- on Saturday night in Melbourne on the left wing vacated by Caleb Clarke's move to the New Zealand sevens team.
Then there's the silky Sullivan. He's one to watch; possibly the pick of the Blues' next gen.
Two weeks ago, the 20-year-old scored a second-half try after skinning Sean Wainui to savour his Super Rugby debut against the Chiefs. The occasion was all the more special by opposing older brother Bailyn, who played his first match in two years on the wing for the Chiefs.
"I would definitely call it a dream come true. I didn't really expect to get a chance in my first year. That night was unreal," Sullivan said of a match where his older sister, mum, dad, partner, step mum, cousins and uncles watched from the Eden Park stands.
"They came from everywhere. It was unreal to have my brother on the field, my family there. I couldn't get a better debut. I was pretty speechless about it but I loved it and celebrating with the family.
"There was a point where Bailyn was on the ground and I put my hand out and he tried to reach for it and I took it away – you stay down there man. He's struggled to get into that side so it was good to see him get a crack. He played well."
Banter aside, Sullivan has the chance to push his case for the long-problematic Blues fullback role over the next six weeks of Super Rugby Transtasman.
Taranaki playmaker Stephen Perofeta has occupied the fullback role for the Blues this season but as a natural 10, his preference is to challenge Otere Black and Harry Plummer for first-five duties. Perofeta will be given the chance to do that in the coming weeks after being sent back to club rugby this week.
Perofeta's positional shift leaves Sullivan in the box seat to press his claims at fullback, before Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck arrives in 2022.
Zarn Sullivan of the Blues in action during the round 10 Super Rugby Aotearoa match between the Blues and the Chiefs. Photo / Getty Images.
Beauden Barrett returns to the Blues next year too but, like Perofeta, he's made no secret of his intent to play first-five where his influence on any team is much more profound.
Tuivasa-Sheck may also be used in the midfield and wing roles by the Blues.
The upshot is Sullivan, should he impress against the five Australian teams, could go a long way to proving he is the long-term answer at 15 for the Blues.
As Blues assistant coach Daniel Halangahu notes, the 1.93m, 101kg Sullivan boasts the breath of skill and size to make the position his own. Experience and time are all he needs now.
"The long-term picture is what we're looking at. If we get his development right, curb some of his youthful enthusiasm, he could do some great things for this club," Halangahu said. "We saw some of that enthusiasm when he threw a flick pass in behind the line on his own but, at the same time, he is certainly physically ready; he's fast, big and he kicks the ball as far as anyone.
"He's got a few X-factor things which are different for us – it's not running and bumping people off. It's his kicking game, it's ability in the air so it's now refining some of his decision-making things so he picks his moments."
Proud of his Hawke's Bay roots - his father and grandfather still reside there - Sullivan juggled volleyball where he featured as a post player/outside hitter until Year 11 when rugby took precedence.
Representing Napier Boys' first XV he didn't make any Hurricanes age-grade teams and his family's Super Rugby loyalties drifted outside that local catchment.
"My family supported the Chiefs more than the Hurricanes," Sullivan said. "They call it Chiefs mana for a reason so it was probably how proud they are to represent that."
A move to King's College for his final two schooling years honed Sullivan's skills as a first-five and selection in Auckland's under 18s, 19s and the Blues 20s teams followed.
It wasn't until he made the Auckland provincial team last year, though, that Sullivan switched to fullback. Experience at first-five will only aid his development as a dual playmaker from the backfield – Barrett and Damian McKenzie two such examples of these interchangeable roles in the modern game.
"Fullback is another 10; 10 is another fullback. Fullback you're out wider from set piece and 10 you're in tighter. It's just having eyes for both sides. I'm focusing on fullback now to see where I can pop in but I can still play standoff when needed."
Sullivan's booming left boot is his most notable asset but at this early stage in his career, he knows he needs to harness a range of threats to keep opponents guessing.
"Sometimes I rely on it, sometimes I can't really. You've got to have other arsenal in the pocket to get the speed up, get the footwork going or the fend to use my physical attributes. Some people review me and know I've got a big left boot but can I kick off my right? You've got to keep the questions ticking over so that's what I'm working on at the moment."
Stay tuned in for the next stage of Sullivan's development against the Rebels.
