Tuivasa-Sheck ruled out, Luke in doubt
Kiwis coach Michael Maguire will look for a new captain of the team with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck out of the October 13 test against the Kangaroos and the trip to England.
Maguire didn’t select an official captain for the mid-season test against the England in Denver and was set to name Tuivasa-Sheck as the team’s new leader.
However, Maguire confirmed to Stuff yesterday that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been ruled out, while Issac Luke is in doubt.
The Warriors fullback picked up a knee injury in the 27-12 elimination final to the Panthers earlier this month.
It was hoped that he would recover in for the Kiwis’ campaign but the team’s coach Michael Maguire confirmed that he won’t recover in time.
‘‘His injury is worse than was thought so he’s not going to be able to play, but he is very committed to this team and will be a big part of our future,’’ Maguire said.
The Kiwis could also be without Luke, who has captained the Kiwis in the past, with the hooker going to see a surgeon tomorrow because of his troublesome shoulder.
So Maguire says he will make a decision on who to pick as the team’s captain for this year’s tests.
‘‘With Roger not being available, he was very much a part of my thoughts around that,’’ Maguire said. ‘‘Now we know Roger’s not going to be there, but moving forward he’s going to play a big part in that space.
‘‘So we’ll look at the group we select, I’ve got another strong number of leaders within that and I’m looking forward to giving someone that opportunity to lead the team out.’’
Tuivasa-Sheck is the favourite to win the Dally M Medal tonight. He would be the first Warrior to win the accolade of the best player over a season and Maguire said he’d be a deserved recipient of it.
‘‘It would be fantastic for him to be able to take the mantle and get the Dally M,’’ he said. ‘‘Imagine how enormous that would be for New Zealand itself, the Warriors and he’s a great man.
Meanwhile, Maguire continues to be linked with the vacant coaching job at the Sea Eagles.
He’s always been open about his desire to get back into an NRL job, but the former Rabbitohs coach insisted he has no intentions of walking away from the Kiwis and would look to have both jobs.
‘‘I spoke about it at the start when I came into the role,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m humbled to be the coach of the New Zealand team and I’ve really enjoyed being able to go out and meet a lot of Kiwi kids, men and the girls.
‘‘We’ve got three games coming up, which is fabulous, the Junior Kiwis, the Kiwi Ferns who are a big part of the future of the game.
‘‘But this is something I hold extremely highly and wherever I go, this is something I want to be a part of.’’