The Warriors have scored a major signing coup, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck set to return to the New Zealand NRL club after two years away from the game playing rugby union for the Blues and the All Blacks.
Tuivasa-Sheck, still just 29, put pen to paper a three-year deal with the Warriors.
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He originally left rugby league in late 2021 after New Zealand let him break his contract. The star, who is just five games away from 200 appearances in the NRL, played for the All Blacks three times in 2022. He has been playing for the Auckland Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific competition this year, and may play for New Zealand Rugby in the World Cup in September.
When Tuivasa-Sheck left the club early, there was an informal agreement that he would return to the club if he ever rejoined footy’s ranks. There were, for a time, whispers the Sydney Roosters may have turned his head, but he stuck true to the Warriors.
The Warriors are expected to slot ‘RTS’ in at fullback next year.
In his first tenure with the Warriors, the 29-year-old played 111 games and captained the club. He became a staple in the New Zealand Rugby League national team, playing 20 Tests, and in 2018 was crowned the best player in the game as the reigning Dally M medalist. A year later he was awarded the 2019 Golden Boot.
Before that, Tuivasa-Sheck made his NRL debut with the Roosters in 2012—hence why many still believe he did have informal conversations with the tricolours about a 2024 return.
He played 84 games for the Roosters before leaving in 2016.
RTS’ return to the NRL is nothing but a huge triumph for the world of rugby league, especially with Joseph Sua’ali’i leaving next season and rumours building that Rugby Australia wants to snare Payne Haas in a similar move soon.
“It’s hugely exciting knowing Roger is coming back to us, back to his home at Mount Smart Stadium,” Warriors chief executive Cameron George said in a statement. “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.”
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