Where will Roger Tuivasa-Sheck play when he returns to the New Zealand Warriors in 2024?
The 29-year-old announced that he would switch codes back to the NRL last month after a two-year stint with the Blues and All Blacks in rugby union.
While he still has hopes of winning a title with the Blues and further heading to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the former fullback will be keeping a close eye on the Warriors, who will be blessed with choice following several key signings next season.
Young utility back Chanel Harris-Tavita also announced his return on Monday evening while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is the incumbent fullback.
Nicoll-Klokstad has been one of the Warriors’ best performers so far in 2023, leading assistant coach Justin Morgan to believe there will be a position for Tuivasa-Sheck elsewhere on the field.
“I think he’s more likely to play most probably in the centres,” Morgan told SENZ The Run Home.
“Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, he’s doing a great job for us at fullback, Rog can play that role as well.
“I think … again, I haven’t really studied his performances in rugby so much but obviously playing in the front line a little bit more has given him a chance to understand the movements, the dynamic movements, and the defensive patterns that he might need to have playing in the front line.
“He hasn’t played in the front line in rugby league for a number of years, he started on the wing or the Roosters.
“So I think he’s most probably likely to come and play that role for us but it’s nice to have a backup fullback that was a Golden Boot winner a couple of years ago.
“That’s not a bad position to be in if he ends up being the understudy for Charnze which would be a great turnaround for the two.”
Tuivasa-Sheck has played at centre at union and while the positions are different between codes, Morgan believes he will slot in easily upon his return.
The assistant added that Nicoll-Klokstad deserves to hold his position at the back after he was forced to leave the Warriors in 2018 due to Tuivasa-Sheck’s dominance.
“Charnze was here a few years ago and had to go away because Roger had a mortgage on the No.1 and rightly so, and he went away and did a great job and I suppose increased his career value by being at the Raiders,” Morgan added.
“Rog, not only will he add that ability that he’s got football-wise but he’s a super professional, he’s a great club persona and again I haven’t been around him around the Blues but I could imagine that he’s all for the team.
“He was all for the team with us and he’ll be a great addition next year for sure.”
Tuivasa-Sheck has played 185 NRL games with the Roosters and the Warriors since debuting in 2012.