Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to Sign with New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are expected to sign Kiwi outside back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, as was reported by Michael Carayannis of the Sydney Morning Herald. The Warriors have reportedly offered the 21-year-old a deal worth $800,000 per year, almost double what he was being offered to stay at the Sydney Roosters.
It is a huge coup for the Warriors to land the signature of a genuine superstar, who failed in their bids for the Kiwi pairing of Jason Taumalolo and Kieran Foran, while also being passed over by Trent Merrin, according to Carayannis.
An electric runner possessing speed, agility, an explosive side-step and dazzling footwork, there are few players in the NRL more dangerous than Tuivasa-Sheck. Having played on the wing for the Sydney Roosters over the past two years, he has been touted as a player of tremendous potential. In 2013, he was named Dally M Winger of the Year, before proceeding to star for New Zealand at that year’s Rugby League World Cup.
It has been widely thought that he would be the man to fill the boots of Anthony Minichiello at fullback when the stalwart retired, and that has come into fruition this year. At the back Tuivasa-Sheck has been nothing short of brilliant. On both the counter and coming into the line, his speed and explosive step have seen him cut opposition defences to pieces.
In fact he has been possibly the best outside back in the Premiership thus far. That is a good sign as far as the Warriors are concerned, although they will not be seeing him in their own jersey until next year.
Undoubtedly he will be the intended replacement for their current fullback, Englishman Sam Tompkins. Tompkins has had a mixed time with the Warriors, arriving from the Super League with plenty of hype but taking a while to find his feet in the more physical NRL. His deft touches out wide will be missed, but in Tuivasa-Sheck, the Warriors have a more potent attacking weapon and a player who will only get better.
The move is a return home for Tuivasa-Sheck, having grown up in Auckland and making his name as one of the top prospects in both rugby league and rugby union at Otahuhu College. He was then snatched from his homeland at the age of 18 by the Sydney Roosters.
