Kearney praises skipper’s effort

Coach Stephen Kearney was full of praise for Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck after he produced a brilliant try-saving tackle on St George Illawarra centre Tim Lafai in yesterday’s gritty 18-12 NRL win.

The 25-year-old fullback was outstanding in helping the visitors claim their first win over the Dragons at WIN Stadium, running for a game high 239 metres and making two line breaks and nine tackle busts.

His speed and footwork had the Dragons defence stretched every time he touched the ball and he also produced the best defensive effort of the match with a sensational one-onone strip, denying Lafai what looked like a certain try late in the first half.

The importance of the tackle was not lost on Kearney who commended Tuivasa-Sheck for leading the way for his side after putting his hand up to take responsibility for two below par performances over the last fortnight.

“It was a huge play. There’s been a number of times this year when Roger’s come up with a play like that,” said Kearney.

“He sets a high standard and he’s not happy when he’s an eight out of 10 so this week I could just see it in his body language that he was determined to make sure he led the way. That defensive effort on Timmy Lafai epitomises what Roger’s all about.”

Tuivasa-Sheck downplayed his defensive stop but admitted he had made a personal commitment this week to improve his own preparation and play. “I just tried to get my hand underneath the ball and took a dip at it and it worked out in my favour,” he said.

“I just had to take it a bit personally and come out and make sure I had myself ready to go. Too many times I’d try and get the team up and pumping but I think I forgot about my own performance and preparation and that’s what today was about — to get myself ready to go.”

Tuivasa-Sheck brushed off a query about how he was enjoying fatherhood after Kearney had noted midweek how his home life had undergone significant change since his fiance´ e Ashley Walker gave birth to their baby daughter in June.

“I’m loving it all and am keen to get back home to her so there’s nothing too much there.”

Kearney laughed as he clarified his comments in the lead-up to the match, saying: “The point I made was like all of us who do have children, it is an adjustment. I don’t like to use the word ‘shock’ but it is an adjustment.”