Green: Tuivasa-Sheck can only get better
If you thought Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was playing well now, just wait another year or two.
That’s the view of Warriors fiveeighth Blake Green, who believes the hot-stepping fullback still has plenty more growth left in his game.
Tuivasa-Sheck’s outstanding season has put him in the conversation for the Dally M medal heading into tomorrow’s NRL clash against the Bulldogs and he is already considered one of the best in his position.
But at just 25 and given his reputation on the training paddock, it’s easy to see why Green feels there is more to come.
‘‘I always knew Roger was a good player when I came to the club but he’s going to be a very, very good leader,’’ said Green, who is in his first season at Mt Smart.
‘‘He is now, but in a few more years time he’s going to be one hell of a footy player and a really big leader for this club. So I’m really pleased that we’ve locked him up for another four years and no-one else can steal him from us.’’
Tuivasa-Sheck has been particularly devastating in the last two wins over the Dragons and Knights, churning through almost 600 running metres combined while making inspirational plays on defence.
After a couple of quiet performances against the Storm and Titans, Tuivasa-Sheck credited a heart to heart with Green that helped him focus on his strengths when he was beginning to get distracted by the captaincy.
But Green was quick to play down any influence he has had on Tuivasa-Sheck’s stunning form.
‘‘It was just a general chat that some of the leadership group had,’’ Green said. ‘‘We said that for us to bounce back from those back-toback losses it was important we lead with our actions and not worry about everyone else on the footy team.
‘‘That’s a big part of his game, carrying the footy. He’s so hard to
handle one-on-one in space. And the more he can run for us the better the team’s going to go.’’
With Melbourne legend Billy Slater retiring at the end of the season, the mantle as the best No 1 in the NRL is there for the taking.
Green, who spent two seasons playing with Slater at the Storm, was reluctant to put that sort of
pressure on his team-mate.
But he has noticed similarities in the professional approach Slater and Tuivasa-Sheck have towards their preparation.
‘‘I was blown away when I first went to Melbourne by how professional Billy was. He watched so much footy of other teams, he was always so thorough in his preparation. Roger’s very similar in that case but the style of footy is very different.’’
The Warriors tomorrow take on a Bulldogs side which is battling to avoid the wooden spoon. However, Green feels they are playing much better than where they are ranked on the table.
Prior to last week’s defeat to Manly, Canterbury enjoyed consecutive wins over the Tigers and Broncos.
And they have plenty of experience across the side with the likes of David Klemmer, Josh Jackson and Kiwi Greg Eastwood up front and Will Hopoate and the Morris twins in the backline.
‘‘The Bulldogs have been doing a terrific job over the last month. They’ve been completing their sets, kicking to the corners and making it difficult for teams,’’ Green said.
‘‘I watched them knock off the Broncos a couple of weeks ago. They’re going to be a big challenge for us on the weekend. We’re getting close but we can’t really take our eyes off the Dogs.’’