World Cup ambitions keep Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in rugby union
The stunning signing coup of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck led to the almost immediate question of; why don’t the Warriors get RTS immediately?
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Warriors boss Cameron George has slammed the door on trying to prise Roger Tuivasa-Sheck out of Super Rugby early, saying he wants the superstar signing to win the World Cup with the All Blacks later this year.
In the wake of orchestrating one of the Warriors greatest signing coups in their history, George has detailed how the club meticulously executed the return of Tuivasa-Sheck to the NRL.
The five-month secret included only a handful of meetings with the 2018 Dally M winner, each discussion bound by strict confidentiality and included the knowledge of only the highest-level of Warriors executives.
Tuivasa-Sheck will leave Super Rugby club the Auckland Blues after just two seasons and join the Warriors on a three-year deal from 2024.
And in a further shock, the return of the two-time Dally M fullback of the year could include a move into the centres.
EARLY RELEASE
The stunning signing coup, first revealed by News Corp on Thursday, led to the almost immediate question of; why not get RTS immediately?
Tuivasa-Sheck is aiming to win the Super Rugby final in June with the Blues before winning the World Cup in September with the All Blacks.
It must be stated, he is no certainty to make the All Blacks side.
The 29-year-old remains in the frame for New Zealand’s World Cup squad, but has been out injured since mid-March due to a hand injury.
George said the Warriors had no interest in pressuring the champion footballer to link with the club for what remains of the 2023 NRL season.
“To be honest, after today we’re going to respect that he’s got a job to do and we have a job to do,’’ George said.
“We both need to get back to business.
“And for him, he’s got a big goal this year, he wants to play for the All Blacks in the World Cup and we’re encouraging him to go and do that.
“Hopefully he’s standing there on the podium with the All Blacks in the World Cup and enjoying that success.
“It will only bring greater experience back to our club and our group of players if he can achieve that.
“We want him to be as successful as he can this year.
“The Blues deserve it and the All Blacks deserve it. And when that happens, we look forward to him walking through the gates on November 1.”
THE SECRET
In a country obsessed with the 15-man game, with an intense media coverage and a similar press pack covering the NRL in Australia, it’s impossible to fathom that the Warriors were able to secure Tuivasa-Sheck’s signature without so much as a whisper.
There had been rumours of the Roosters being interested in Tuivasa-Sheck, but never a word about the ultimate outcome of a three-year deal with the Warriors.
Only five people, Warriors owner Mark Robinson, Warriors chairman Ken Reinsfield, head coach Andrew Webster, head of recruitment Andrew McFadden and George were across the discussions that began just after Christmas last year.
“We sat down and said if we want this opportunity to come our way, we’ve got to respect the person we’re dealing with and the situation he’s in,’’ George said.
“Most importantly, let‘s show ourselves what getting this club right can do for us.
“I kept Robbo and Ken up to speed with every conversation we had and we all had a commitment, as part of the whole reset, we wanted to be seen and perceived as being professional, considerate and good people.
“That’s why nothing ever got out.
“This has been five months sitting with us and it's a credit to Roger, his management and us.
“We spoke to him at the start of the year and we’ve slowly been waiting patiently and letting Roger go through his process.
“We wanted to allow him to work out what he and his family wanted in life and in his career.
“Like you, I saw all those headlines (about the Roosters). I was never nervous about it because I knew Roger would make a decision that he and his family felt was best for them.
“And if it was us, then let’s keep talking.’’
REPAYING THE FAITH
In late-July, 2021, Tuivasa-Sheck held back tears inside a Warriors team meeting room on the Gold Coast.
In the midst of the Covid crisis that forced the relocation of the Warriors to Australia for more than two years, the star fullback could no longer deal with the heartache of being away from family.
The Warriors released their star to play rugby union with the Blues back in Auckland.
George says he would like to believe Tuivasa-Sheck felt the respect the club showed him, carried weight in his decision to come “home” to the Warriors.
“You always get measured on your actions, not necessarily what you say,” George said.
“For me, as the CEO, when we were pretty well at rock bottom, was not to forget, he was a human with a family.
“None of us planned for the Covid scenario.
“We could’ve said you’re not going anywhere, but what was that going to achieve?
“I‘d like to think that Roger recognised that we’re a club that puts the player first.’’
CENTRE OF ATTENTION
Tuivasa-Sheck is a two-time Dally M fullback of the year.
The immediate thought for all rugby league fans was that Tuivasa-Sheck would return to the Warriors in the no. 1 jersey.
However, with current Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad locked in at the club until 2025, it’s possible that the Warriors could look to exploit Tuivasa-Sheck’s incredible footwork by playing him at centre.
George said those discussions would be had when Tuivasa-Sheck arrives later this year.
“Webby has got a plan, but those will be football discussions,” George said.
“We‘re a very proud club because we’ve got a very passionate and committed sportsman.’’
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