Roger Tuivasa-Sheck confirms he is quitting NRL to join All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby, six-player shortlist to fill void

Matt Dufty has labelled negotiations with the Dragons “disappointing” — but a plum role awaits across the ditch.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is leaving the New Zealand Warriors and the NRL. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty Images

St George Illawarra fullback Matt Dufty heads a list of candidates to replace rugby-bound Roger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as the New Zealand Warriors prepare to hit the player market with $1 million to spend.

The Dragons have indicated to the off-contract Dufty they will not start negotiations until the season resumes as he battles with Cody Ramsey for the No.1 jersey.

Dufty expressed his displeasure earlier this month labelling the silence from the club as “disappointing”.

The Warriors – who have more than a million dollars to spend following Tuivasa-Sheck’s shock departure – have already been linked to Melbourne premiership-winning halfback Jahrome Hughes, who started his NRL career at fullback.

Matt Dufty is a key target for the Warriors.

Kiwis teammate Joey Manu, whose Roosters deal does not expire until the end of 2022, could also be an option as the Warriors have already begun planning for life after their skipper.

While emerging talents Paul Turner, Hayze Perham and Rocco Berry are already at the club, coach Nathan Brown indicated the youngsters are still an unknown quantity.

“With where our squad is in the shorter-term the reality is we may have to look outward,” Brown said. “Longer-term there may be someone inward, we just have to wait and see.

“We have some very good younger outside backs coming through. Whether our younger ones will be ready is probably too early to judge given they all most a season of football last year.

“A lot of our younger players will be playing in the Queensland Cup so we will get a good indication of where they are at.”

RTS SLAMS ‘RISRESPECTFUL’ ALL BLACKS TALK

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has labelled suggestions he is an All Black-in-waiting as “disrespectful” to one of the greatest teams on the planet.

The Warriors confirmed they had released Tuivasa-Sheck from the final year of his multimillion-dollar deal to switch codes and chase his All Blacks dream. While Tuivasa-Sheck is adamant he wants to become a dual-international he rejected claims he had “joined” the All Blacks.

“I’ve been getting a lot of people saying ‘you’re going to the All Blacks’,” Tuivasa-Sheck said. “That’ a bit disrespectful to a brand like that. My whole thing is to go back and just play rugby — you don’t walk into a brand like the All Blacks.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has always wanted to play for the All Blacks.

“You have to earn your way in. The first is (by) having a crack at it. I grew up playing rugby.”

The Daily Telegraph dropped the bombshell of the 27-year-old’s impending code switch this week.

The thought of code-switching has been with Tuivasa-Sheck for years now. He quietly explored his options last season but it was not until the most recent off-season that he made his mind-up to make the move.

The Warriors gave him permission to negotiate with rugby and have retain rights on any potential rugby league return. Tuivasa-Sheck said he would not delve too deep into his impending move until the end of the season but it is likely he will link up with Super Rugby team the Auckland Blues.

“Rugby has always been in the back of my mind,” Tuivasa-Sheck said. “I came to the decision, a few months ago that this was the time. I’m grateful for this club for giving me this option to explore.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck says he isn’t finished in the NRL. Picture: AAP Image/David Rowland

“There is still a lot to do (in the NRL). A lot of goals I’m chasing. You achieve one thing one year, it’s about being better the next year. That’s what I’m trying to do with the club.

“I will be here (this year) and I’m proud to be here. We have a great group.

“This club is really important to me. I wanted to do all I can for this club. I’m even more driven to make it happen this year.”

The move is also expected to rule Tuivasa-Sheck out of the end of season rugby league World Cup. Tuivasa-Sheck trained with the All Blacks seven’s squad during the off-season.

Warriors boss Cameron George said the club was “comfortable” with the decision.

Warriors CEO Cameron George says Tuivasa-Sheck’s departure to rugby union isn’t a bombshell. Picture: Tim Pascoe

“This isn’t a bombshell,” George said. “We have been discussing this for a number of weeks now.

“He deserves this opportunity. He brings a lot to our off field brand. He brings a legacy as well.”

Tuivasa-Sheck said the gruelling season he experienced last year had nothing to do with his choice. He was due to be joined by his family on Saturday but the closure of the trans-Tasman bubble has delayed the arrival of Tuivasa-Sheck’s and Ken Maumalo’s family by at least a week.

He leaves rugby league as a premiership winner, Dally M medalist and with a golden boot award.

Originally published as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck confirms he is quitting NRL to join All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby, six-player shortlist to fill void