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All Black Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signs with the Warriors from 2024
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.
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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.
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“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!”
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on the @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments