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'I expect him to transition straight to that All Black team' - NRL coach expects Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to make an immediate impact in rugby

(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Todd Payten wishes Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was staying in the NRL but knows the Warriors fullback well enough to be certain he’ll be an immediate option for the All Blacks.

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Payten, who coached the 27-year-old at the Warriors last year, knows how dedicated Tuivasa-Sheck was after his decision to stay and play in Australia due to COVID protocols in 2020.

With 178 NRL appearances, the electrifying fullback’s decision to switch codes was a decision he had been contemplating for some time.

Tuivasa-Sheck has maintained he will have to play the long game and earn his stripes before being picked for the world’s best rugby team ahead of the 2023 World Cup.


But Payten told AAP while the star’s loss will be huge for the NRL he expects him to be in the All Blacks mix from the start.

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All Blacks head coach Ian Foster interview on New Zealand rugby 2021

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All Blacks head coach Ian Foster interview on New Zealand rugby 2021

“As a rugby league person I’m disappointed that he’s not going to be in our game,” the now North Queensland coach said.

“But I know Roger and the type of guy and professional he is, I expect him to transition straight to that All Black team and really light the game up.”

If Tuivasa-Sheck is successful in his switch, he could emulate Brad Thorn and Sonny Bill Williams as dual Rugby World Cup and NRL premiership winners.

The former Dally M player of the year inked a two-year deal to head back over the Tasman and join the Auckland Blues beginning in 2022.

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He grew up playing both union and league and represented the New Zealand rugby union schoolboys, and captained Otahuhu College at the New Zealand rugby league’s secondary schools.

He has since won a premiership with the Sydney Roosters in 2013 and amassed 20 caps for his country.

The Warriors captain’s cross-code switch has been described as a major coup by New Zealand Rugby Union, but he will have plenty of competition for spots in his country’s most famous team.

Payten says he is excited to see him compete.

“He was a rugby kid playing a lot of rugby as a junior, so falling back into that game I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

 I”m really excited to sit back and watch him.”

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M
MA 2 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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