Warriors coach Andrew Webster has poured cold water on speculation that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could be in line for a shock early recall to the NRL club.
The former Warriors captain and Dally M medallist’s rugby union career is in limbo after missing selection for the All Blacks last weekend, but Webster told media on Tuesday that Tuivasa-Sheck is not in his immediate plans.
“Mate honestly, I have not mentioned that to anyone. No one has mentioned that to me … we have certainly not spoken to Roger about that,” he said.
“I don’t know if there’s room in the cap. We’re happy where we’re at as far as what we want to do this weekend, so that’s what we’re focusing on … he looks very solid and fit, but I don’t know how that would relate. I’m thinking about Roger for next year, I’m not thinking about Roger for now. I just want Roger to be happy for the rest of the year, if he’s happy, I’m happy.”
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is tackled by Japan’s defence while representing the All Blacks. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
Rumours have also swirled that Tuivasa-Sheck may be signed to a short-term deal to his other former club, the Sydney Roosters, for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Meanwhile, you could be forgiven for thinking that the bye week has pinched a bit of momentum from the sixth-placed Warriors after their impressive back-to-back wins over the Dolphins and Canberra. However, Webster says that the break has left them refreshed.
“We’ve got a clear focus of what’s coming,” he said.
“It’s given us time to practice and fix things that you don’t get time for on a six day turn around. You don’t want to fiddle with things on a short turn around because you just don’t have enough time.”
Webster welcomes back veteran Dylan Walker for their game against the struggling St George Illawarra. The former NSW Origin rep has undergone a form revival after shifting to Auckland this season, before succumbing to a toe injury that kept him sidelined for the last two games.
The Warriors will be looking to exploit a Dragons side in turmoil, after revelations this week that captain Ben Hunt is willing to reach into his own pocket to affect an immediate release from the 15th-placed club.
Webster says that the events haven’t reflected what sort of a threat the Dragons are, and that Hunt has been playing “unbelievable football”.
“Where you look at them on the table doesn’t matter right now,” Webster said.
“They’ve beaten some good teams lately, they’re at home on their patch of grass. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
A win in Wollongong will lift the Warriors to a share of fourth place on a very congested NRL ladder, with only six points separating leaders Brisbane with the 11th-placed Roosters.
Queensland workhorse Reuben Cotter has only played two State of Origin games but already he is a key factor in coach Billy Slater’s contingency plans for any scenario.
Slater has learned plenty in his short tenure as Maroons coach. One of those things is to be ready for any chaos that unfolds on the field of play. He is ready for more of the same in game two of the series against NSW at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night .
Cotter was man of the match in game one at Adelaide Oval in a 26-18 win where he moved from the middle of the park to play edge back row when Tom Gilbert dislocated his shoulder.
He played the full 80 minutes, as he did on his Origin debut in game one last year in Sydney.
The North Queensland forward has been named on the bench for game two but is a strong chance to start in the second row in place of Cowboys teammate Jeremiah Nanai. “I’m not sure, that’s an option for us,” Slater said.
“Jeremiah plays on that right edge, so he’s in some great touch. He has obviously had some time off (with suspension), but the game he came back for (with the Cowboys) he had a lot of energy about his footy, so we have some options there. (Cotter) is quite versatile. I have see Reuben play a bit of dummy-half, too.”
Last year in Queensland’s 22-12 win in the decider at Suncorp Stadium they lost Selwyn Cobbo and Lindsay Collins to concussions early.
Reuben Cotter. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Multiple players left the field in Adelaide. It has been a trend in Slater’s time as coach.
“Given our last four games, we need contingencies and we need those back-up plans,” Slater said. “We lost two wingers in game one. We lost two back-rowers in game one. We had Dave Fifita and Ben Hunt playing in the centres for a period of time there. I have come to learn that you need … to think of everything.”
It is no surprise that Slater said his team was scratching the surface with what they could achieve if all goes more to plan. Players like Cotter have the base of effort, desire, commitment and attention to detail that the coach has noted throughout his squad.
“They are just getting started. They have created a great foundation to their footy,” Slater said.
“You could probably throw their connection off the field in that as well but I feel like they are just getting started with the foundation of their game. Once you get that you can start growing different tentacles off that.”
with AAP
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