RTS v Teddy: Did Warriors skipper make right call to leave Roosters?

Given there is a split-hair between James Tedesco and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as to who is the NRL’s best fullback, it’s a timely reminder for young stars who chase money over team success.

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There has been a lot of discussion this week about which NRL stars justify a million dollar price tag.

Ahead of the New Zealand Warriors showdown with the Sydney Roosters this Sunday, there is plenty of anticipation about the mouth-watering match-up between two absolute guns who should be on that list — Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and the man who ultimately replaced him at the Roosters, James Tedesco.

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Did Roger Tuivasa-Sheck make the right call leaving the Roosters? Art: Boo Bailey

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While I don’t think anyone would argue Tuivasa-Sheck has gone backwards since leaving the Roosters at the end of 2015, I just wonder if the champion Kiwi’s career has gone as far forward as it potentially would have had he stayed playing under Trent Robinson.

Tedesco has conceded previously that he has no doubt his game would not have soared to where it now is if he had stayed at the Wests Tigers.

Tuivasa-Sheck won the 2018 Dally M Medal. Picture: Brett Costello

Given I still think there is a split-hair between Tedesco and RTS as to who is the game’s best fullback, perhaps it’s a timely reminder for many of the game’s young stars who are currently weighing up rich interest from struggling clubs.

Of course, Tuivasa-Sheck’s return to New Zealand wasn’t just about the big bucks that were on offer at the Warriors, although he did get a significant upgrade.

James Tedesco won the 2018 NRL premiership. Picture: Brett Costello

But it was also about taking up the chance to lead the only NRL team from his home country.

While Tuivasa-Sheck played in the Roosters’ 2013 premiership team, since leaving he has only had one crack of playing finals footy which was last year when the Warriors crashed out on the first weekend.

Meanwhile Tedesco has had one year at the Roosters for one premiership, and there’s every chance he might have another in the coming months.

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Fox Sports Stats show very little separates these two when it comes to their numbers in 2019.

Tedesco has 12 tries, 11 try assists, 19 line breaks, 12 line break assists and averages 185m and has 95 tackle busts.

In a team sitting 11th on the ladder, RTS has five tries, 12 try assists, 15 line breaks, 13 line break assists, averages 189m and has 82 tackle busts.