Why All Blacks should let Tuivasa-Sheck return to Warriors early if not needed for World Cup

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is returning to the Warriors, at this stage, in 2024 not later this year.

He’s considered a borderline selection for the All Blacks squad that will try to win a record fourth Rugby World Cup in France in September and October. 

If it’s clear he’s not needed by the All Blacks, is there any point in him sticking around past the abbreviated Rugby Championship in July? 

All Blacks coach Ian Foster will keep his midfield options open but indicated that if it comes down to a 50-50 call between RTS (who started one Test and played another couple off the bench last year) and another player for the final Cup squad, he will be investing in a player who is going to be around after the team heads in the French direction. 

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Jordie Barrett and David Havili would have to get injured for Tuivasa-Sheck to leapfrog them in New Zealand’s inside-centre pecking order while the likes of Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Levi Aumua, Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Billy Proctor are also in the mix for the centre berths in the squad, according to those who follow New Zealand rugby intently.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is tackled by Japan’s defence while representing the All Blacks. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

Why would the NZ rugby types let RTS go back to the rival code, you ask. Aren’t they in direct competition with them.

Are they? Wouldn’t it be a baller move for the All Blacks, if they don’t need his services, to say go back to the Warriors, this league caper is no threat to us.

The Warriors did RTS and Rugby New Zealand a solid in 2021 when they granted their skipper an early release from his contract in July of that NRL season so he could return home from the team’s biosecurity bubble in Australia to prepare for the National Provincial Championship. 

What goes around comes around … it’s not just an uber cool Lenny Kravitz classic from his legendary Mama Said album. 

The NRL’s mid-season signings deadline is June 30 even though the CBA is still yet to be sealed but with the elasticity of their rulebook these days, the Rugby League Central suits will likely let RTS rejoin the Warriors in July or later. 

Jarryd Hayne was allowed to suit up for the Titans in August of 2016 for a Round 22 debut after his forays in the NFL and rugby sevens while Sonny Bill Williams started his final Roosters swansong in 2020 with just five rounds to go after leaving the All Blacks so a precedent has been established.

And let’s face it, the NRL head honchos owe the Warriors a few favours after the club relocated for three straight seasons during a global pandemic to ensure the competition was able to meet its contractual obligations. 

A potential leg-up to the Warriors so they can get RTS back this season is the least they can do.

Although if recent history is any guide, such a decision would then give the usual suspects a chance to big-note themselves in the media as part of the contrived code wars between the glory-hunting administrators.

Anyway, if this Warriors team can keep this early momentum deep into the season and get Tuivasa-Sheck back, a team that was rated a wooden spoon contender coming into the season could emerge as a genuine threat to do some damage in the finals.

They suffered a hiccup in Melbourne on Tuesday night when they were run down by the Storm but the Warriors were easily the more impressive outfit but had to keep on trucking despite Tohu Harris (knee), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (concussion), Jazz Tevaga (calf) and Bayley Sironen (head knock) failing to finish the match. 

Dylan Walker was also perhaps harshly sent to the sin bin for a head slam tackle in which he didn’t grab Eliesa Katoa anywhere above the shoulders but the forceful impact of three defenders contributed to they heavy impact he suffered when he hit the turf.

Sironen is OK for Sunday’s home showdown with the Roosters and Walker is free to play after successfully arguing for a downgrade on his dangerous contact charge at the judiciary to cop a fine instead of a ban but Harris, CNK and Tevaga will be sidelined. 

At 5-3, the Warriors’ record is at least four wins higher than most pre-season experts would have predicted for what looked like a rebuilding season under a rookie coach in Andrew Webster with a roster mixed with journeymen, veterans supposedly past their prime and young prospects. 

Most years, there’s a team that kicks off the year strongly before fading fast. The Warriors and Dolphins have been the popular bet to do so after red-hot starts but they have continued to defy dire expectations over the past month. 

For the Warriors, the next month is crucial to their chances of converting their early momentum into a surprise return to the finals for what would be the first time since 2018 and only the second occasion they’ve qualified since the 2011 Grand Final. 

After the Roosters, they face Penrith in Magic Round, the unpredictable Bulldogs in Sydney before taking on a depleted Broncos outfit in Napier before the State of Origin series opener at the end of May. 

This year’s move back to three Wednesday Origin matches, even with the extra bye in the schedule, helps the Warriors, who won’t be affected by state selection during the seven-week mid-season stretch while players on Australian-based teams will undoubtedly suffer from injuries and fatigue. 

Against all odds, the Warriors are finals contenders again and if they can somehow jag their former Dally M Medal-winning captain later in the season, who knows where they might end up.