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Report: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck considering Blues switch amid COVID turmoil

By Online Editors
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could make a shock exit from the embattled NRL club, according to reports.

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The Daily Telegraph are reporting that Tuivasa-Sheck – and fellow standout player Tohu Harris – are considering their futures at the club, with Tuivasa-Sheck even considering a code switch.

According to the Telegraph, the Blues have reached out to Tuivasa-Sheck, while several NRL clubs have inquired about the availability of he and Harris.

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Ross Karl is joined by James Parsons of the Blues and Bryn Hall of the Crusaders to discuss all the action from Round 9 of Super Rugby Aotearoa and all the chat around the game in NZ.

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Ross Karl is joined by James Parsons of the Blues and Bryn Hall of the Crusaders to discuss all the action from Round 9 of Super Rugby Aotearoa and all the chat around the game in NZ.

Their major concern is said to be the uncertainty around where the team will be based in 2021 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and would only leave if the club is unable to return to Auckland.

If the Warriors are again forced to base themselves in Australia, it could even leave to players attempting to question the validity of their contracts, as players are unwilling to spend another season away from their families, the Telegraph reports.

Tuivasa-Sheck has two years remaining on his $1 million-a-year deal, while Harris has one year left on a $700,000 deal.

Earlier this month, Warriors interim coach Todd Payten paid tribute to Tuivasa-Sheck, saying his skipper was doing it tough living in Australia without his family.

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“He’s probably doing it the toughest out of all of us to be fair. He’s the only Kiwi over here without his family and he’s got two babies under three so I know he’s not content.

“He’s a little bit muddled with his feelings, he’s always on the phone, and it’s tough for him. He’s got to lead a club, he’s got to lead a footy team and some days I can just see the burden he carries on his shoulders.

“I made the decision to bring my family over and I told him it’s been a weight off my shoulders and I think you should do the same,” Payten said.

“I know his family’s got family at home which is really good help. But I know how I feel and there are days when you need them around. He’s said it openly that his family makes him happy.”

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“I’m just proud that he’s doing what he’s doing.”

Warriors CEO Cameron George told the Telegraph that he was unaware of any players wanting out. When contacted by the Herald, a Blues spokeperson said he had no knowledge of any dealings surrounding Tuivasa-Sheck.

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Adrian 38 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

6 Go to comments
T
Trevor 3 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 7 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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