RTS needs all-clear after big head clash

Skipper in doubt and there’s intrigue over role of Foran against the Dragons Taumalolo signs long $10m deal

Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck must pass concussion protocols before he is cleared to play in Sunday’s NRL clash against St George Illawarra in Sydney.

Plenty of intrigue surrounds Kieran Foran’s potential role in the UOW Jubilee Oval clash at Kogarah, but Tuivasa-Sheck’s presence is perhaps more crucial to the Warriors after back-to-back losses to Melbourne and Canterbury.

The 23-year-old fullback is yet to fully recover from the worst head knock of his career that forced him off in the first half of the rain-soaked Mt Smart Stadium encounter against the Storm 13 days ago.

He also missed last week’s defeat to the Bulldogs in Dunedin after failing follow-up tests and despite having completed yesterday’s training without any problems, he still needs to satisfy medical staff that he’s fully fit to take the field this weekend.

The Warriors are taking extra caution with the issue of concussion a hot topic after the NRL this week issued breach notices and fines totalling $350,000 to the Titans, Knights and Dragons for failing to adhere to the rules around head injuries.

“It’s still going, there’s a process we’re going through,” said TuivasaSheck. “We’re taking it a lot more seriously and trying to go through a process because it’s a big issue and we’ve got to really look into it.

“I’ve got doctors to see [today] so hopefully I can get the green light.”

The Kiwis international was concussed when attempting to tackle Storm centre Cheyse Blair 13 minutes from halftime.

Once on his feet, he remained unsteady before being assisted off and despite feeling relatively fine at the time, he now admits it was the heaviest concussion he has suffered since making his NRL debut in 2012.

“I thought I was sweet, but my tests that they were doing weren’t showing that, so I had to take a bit more time.”

Meanwhile, Warriors coach Stephen Kearney rated Foran a “good chance” of facing the Dragons after the five-eighth was named among the extended reserves for what looms as his first appearance for the club.

Foran was in the thick of things at training as he ran and directed plays, while also taking some heavy contact with and without the ball.

Kearney insists a decision is still to be made on Foran but confirmed that if he is cleared to play, he will start the match in place of rookie No 6 Ata Hingano.

“No point playing him off the bench,” said Kearney.

“He has [still] got to pass a few tests. We need to see how he pulls up today and obviously tomorrow.”

Kearney is unconcerned by Foran’s lack of match fitness and has no doubts he’ll be up to the challenge despite not having played since round 12 of last season.

“He’ll be fine,” he said. “He is a Kiwi Jason Taumalolo has signed one of the longest contract deals in NRL history, keeping him at North Queensland until the end of the 2027 season.

The reigning Dally M medallist’s 10-year contract is believed to be worth A$10 million, putting the 23-year-old lock forward among the game’s highest-paid players.

Taumalolo, who has won a premiership and represented the Kiwis in his time at the club, has played 115 games for the Cowboys since his debut in 2010.

He has turned his back on pursuing a career in the NFL after trialling in front of scouts in the United States in the off-season.

“The NFL opportunity was pretty big for me. Obviously to throw myself into another game, the negatives outweighed the positives,” said Taumalolo yesterday.

“It was all about securing my future and obviously the opportunities that I have playing for this club, to be playing for this club for the rest of my career, is a big one for me.”

Cowboys coach Paul Green said locking down the star back-rower would give the club long-term security. He said the length of the deal was justified.

“It definitely gives us stability. He’s a key player in the game and a key player at our club,” Green said. “Jason has proved his consistency in recent seasons. He’s certainly committed to the club.

“Whether or not the value of it is warranted, I think it is. I think it’s a fair deal for both.”

Taumalolo led the competition for metres gained in 2016 when he was crowned the league’s best player, alongside Melbourne’s Cooper Cronk.

Displaying slick footwork and clean ball skills, he was the first forward to win the Dally M in 10 years.

Cowboys football boss Peter Parr said the club expected Taumalolo to maintain his status among the game’s elite for a “considerable period of time”.

“Given his age, we felt the longer that we could secure him for, the better for everybody,” Parr said.

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“If he was a front-rower, I would be a little bit more worried, in the sense that they do probably a bit more physical work, but he has looked really good over the last few weeks in terms of training and what we have put in front of him.

“Everyone knows when Kieran is playing his best footy, you want him in your team, so that is the asset that he brings.”