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The Warriors have regained their biggest star, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck set to return to the club after trying his hand at rugby union.
RTS will link up with them from 2024 onwards, joining new coach Andrew Webster’s revolution at Mount Smart Stadium once his Auckland Blues contract expires.
In the process, the Kiwi club have fired the first significant shot back from the league side of the code war, which has been heating up since Eddie Jones made signing NRL stars for the Wallabies, and was recently accelerated by the defection of rising Roosters star Joseph Suaalii.
“Out of respect for the Blues, my teammates, coaches and of course the fans, I’m not going into too much detail about my next move,” Tuivasa-Sheck said. “One thing was clear to me though, once I knew what my future held, I wanted to announce this and quickly shift the focus back to this season.”
Roger Tuivasa-Scheck. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
“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 finish 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.”
Webster was thrilled by the high-profile addition to his roster.
“Roger came to the club in my second season as an assistant coach in 2016 and he had a huge impact on the squad,” Webster said.
“That first year was cut short by his ACL injury but it was brilliant working with him. I’m super excited knowing he’s coming back to the club.”
Warriors CEO Cameron George said it is “hugely exciting knowing Roger is coming back to us, back to his home”.
“When he went to rugby union he did so knowing he was always welcome back here if he wished to return to rugby league. We couldn’t be more delighted it’s happening.
“He’s popular with the players and a real fan favourite. It’s going to be so good seeing him back in our jersey.”
RTS made his All Blacks debut last year in Wellington in their defeat to Ireland and has played three Tests in total, but is no guarantee of making the squad for the World Cup later this year.
The 2018 Dally M Medal winner played his last match for the Warriors late in 2021 before attempting to become an All Black for the World Cup later this year in France.
He played 111 of his 195 NRL matches for the Warriors after stating his career at the Roosters where he won a premiership in 2013.
At 29, he still has a few years left in his career and his imminent return is a huge boost to the Warriors, who have been the surprise packets of this season after rising to third with a 5-2 record.
Tuivasa-Sheck, who has limited chances at Test level in rugby union, has been out of action for for the Blues since they lost to the Crusaders at Eden Park on March 18, when he suffered a hand injury.
He was close to making a return this weekend against the Waratahs but the Blues opted to give him another week off.
After playing fullback in league, he has been used at inside-centre in rugby and has played three Tests for the All Blacks since making his debut last year but is no guarantee of making the squad for the World Cup.