RTS returns for Warriors

Rugby league

He may still be on baby watch but Warriors skipper Roger TuivasaSheck has been named to lead the side into Saturday’s top-four NRL clash against South Sydney.

Tuivasa-Sheck was a late omission from last week’s gritty 24-14 win over the Eels in Sydney as he remained in Auckland to support his fiancee, Ashley Walker, who is due to give birth to their first child any day soon. The star fullback was back training with the squad yesterday.

With halfback Shaun Johnson still sidelined by an ankle injury, Tuivasa-Sheck’s inclusion is a big boost for the third-placed Warriors as they prepare to host one of the form sides in the NRL.

After an inconsistent start to the season, which included the round-one loss to the Warriors in Perth, the Rabbitohs have surged into fourth spot with five wins from their last six games.

Tuivasa-Sheck’s return sees Peta Hiku switch to the centres after filling in at fullback, while Gerard Beale, who made his club debut against the Eels, goes back to the extended bench.

It was only Beale’s game of rugby league since breaking a leg during last year’s World Cup but he was all class and it will be interesting to see how coach Stephen Kearney uses him from here.

Other than Tuivasa-Sheck, there are no other personnel changes to the 17 players used last week.

At a glance Warriors:

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), David Fusitu’a, Peta Hiku, Solomone Kata, Ken Maumalo, Blake Green, Mason Lino, James Gavet, Issac Luke, Agnatius Paasi, Simon Mannering, Tohu Harris, Adam Blair. Interchange: Jazz Tevaga, Chris Satae, Bunty Afoa, Isaiah Papali’i, Gerard Beale, Karl Lawton, Albert Vete, Anthony Gelling.

Rabbitohs:

Greg Inglis (c), Campbell Graham, Adam Doueihi, Dane Gagai, Hymel Hunt, Cody Walker, Adam Reynolds, Thomas Burgess, Damien Cook, George Burgess, John Sutton, Angus Crichton, Sam Burgess. Interchange: Cameron Murray, Mark Nicholls, Jason Clark, Tevita Tatola, Robbie Farah, Robert Jennings, Braidon Burns, Kyle Tuner.