Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is making a shock return to the New Zealand Warriors.
The club confirmed tonight the cross-code star would rejoin their ranks in 2024, signing a three-year deal and making the current Super Rugby campaign his last with the Blues.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Blues and made some great mates over the past two seasons,” Tuivasa-Sheck said. “Once I knew what my future held, I wanted to announce this and quickly shift the focus back to this season.
“In the immediate future I want to get my injured hand sorted so I’m back and available to help this team in any way I can for the remainder of 2023.
“I’m grateful to the Blues for giving me the opportunity to return to the club where I played in my teens (for the U18 side). I’ve been fortunate to play out some of my childhood dreams and for that I can only thank everyone I’ve been involved with.”
Warriors chief executive Cameron George was thrilled to re-sign the club’s former captain, who in 2018 became the first Warrior to win the Dally M Medal as NRL player of the year.
“It’s hugely exciting knowing Roger is coming back to us, back to his home at Mount Smart Stadium,” said George. “When he went to rugby union he did so knowing he was always welcome back here if he wished to return to rugby league. We couldn’t be more delighted it’s happening.
“He’s popular with the players and a real fan favourite. It’s going to be so good seeing him back in our jersey.”
Tuivasa-Sheck made his NRL debut with the Sydney Roosters in 2012, playing 84 games for the club and winning a premiership in 2013.
He moved to Mt Smart in 2016 and racked up 111 appearances across six seasons with the Warriors, before leaving the club’s temporary Australian base in 2021 to make his first foray into rugby with the Auckland NPC side.
Having played 20 tests for the Kiwis, Tuivasa-Sheck made his All Blacks debut against Ireland in 2022, earning three caps. The 29-year-old is set to be in the midfield mix for a spot in the squad at this year’s World Cup in France, though injury has kept him on the sidelines since mid-March.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald said Tuivasa-Sheck had played an important role for his Super Rugby side, so far making 15 appearances and starting at second five-eighth throughout last year’s run to the final.
“It takes a special kind of athlete to do what Roger has done,” MacDonald said. “He was really finding his feet in the midfield early on this season before picking up an injury.
“The work ethic and diligence he’s put into his craft in his time with the Blues is certainly something he can be proud of. He will still have a role to play for us in 2023.”
Blues chief executive Andrew Hore described Tuivasa-Sheck as a popular figure at the franchise and wished him well ahead of his switch back to league.
“Roger is a consummate professional and we thank him for his contribution,” said Hore. “When he told us he was leaving, his greatest concern was ensuring there was minimal distraction for us. That speaks volumes to him as an individual and we wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
