1
All Black Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signs with the Warriors from 2024
By Finn Morton
Blues and All Blacks midfielder Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will return to the NRL after signing a multi-year deal with the Warriors from next season.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to The Daily Telegraph and Stuff, the dual international has inked a three-year deal with the Auckland-based rugby league club.
This news comes just a few weeks after a Sydney Morning Herald report which suggested the 2018 Dally M medalist was leaning towards a move to Japan Rugby League One as opposed to the NRL.
But following months of rumours and speculation regarding his future in rugby, the Blues and Tuivasa-Sheck have confirmed that the side-stepping speedster will return to the Warriors in 2024.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here at the Blues and made some great mates over the past two seasons,” Tuivasa-Sheck said in a statement.
“Out of respect for the Blues, my teammates, coaches and of course the fans< I’m not going into too much details about my next move.
“One thing war to clear to me though, once I knew what my future held, I wanted to announce this and quickly shift the focus back to the season.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I’m a Blues man now and that’s where all my energy is going.
“We have an important run of games coming up as we push for a playoffs spot and ensuring we finished as high on the table as possible.
“In the immediate future I want to get my injured hand sorted so I’m back and available to help this team in any way I can for the remainder of 2023.”
Throughout his time in the 15-player game, Tuivasa-Sheck has played under an almost unprecedented level of pressure and scrutiny.
After captaining the Warriors, and being crowned the NRL’s best player as well, rugby fans expected Tuivasa-Sheck to star at both Super Rugby and Test level.
Unfinished business. RTS. 2024 🔏
Read: https://t.co/1soACr4n1Q pic.twitter.com/96EtTNPL35
ADVERTISEMENT— One NZ Warriors (@NZWarriors) April 20, 2023
But, at least so far, Tuivasa-Sheck has received mixed reviews – having failed to fire at the level expected of him.
Tuivasa-Sheck was unable to cement his place in the All Blacks last year, but bounced back with a strong start to this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign, but has been sidelined with an injury for more than a month now.
“I’m grateful to the Blue for giving me the opportunity to return to the club where I played in my teens,” he added.
“I’ve been fortunate to play out some of my childhood dreams and for that I can only thank everyone I’ve been involved with here.”
Earlier today, coach Leon MacDonald revealed that Tuivasa-Sheck was close to returning for the Blues, but has been given another week to get his hand right before returning to Super Rugby.
Speaking about the midfielders decision to return to rugby league, MacDonald described Tuivasa-Sheck as “a special kind of athlete.”
“It takes a special kind of athlete to do what Roger has done,” MacDonald said.
“He was really finding his feet in the midfield early on this season before picking up an injury.
“The work ethic and diligence he’s put into his craft in his time with the Blues is certainly something he can be proud of.
“He will still have a role to play for us in 2023 as the team look to build some momentum into the campaign and push for home advantage in the knockout stages of the competition.
“I wish him all the best for the next chapter in his journey and I’ll be watching on with interest!”
Great news - clears a spot for ABs real midfielders
Clearly, jumping codes isn't for every star unless you're a fijian...and they thrive in any code..just look at Semi Radradra, Sisa waqa, Marika Koroibete, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Lote Tuqiri, Bill Kikau, Suliasi Vunivalu, boy so many
I don't blame RTS I blame the administrators at the Blues who thought that this project was a good use of funds. He might have done ok on the wing but to expect him to be ready for a World Cup in two years playing as a small inside centre who can't kick was unrealistic.
I just wish that the Cashed Up Blues would spend their money developing and retaining their incredible schoolboy talent rather than poaching established internationals from other clubs. It's never worked. Nepo and Big Karl went backwards. BB has just got in the way of Perofeta and Zarn. And now this.
Best wishes to RTS, a top player and a top man.
I agree mate. RTS was never going to be sonny bill but he coulda become Jason Robinson. Big Sam coulda made it at 12 but he was a super talented fast league prop.