I’m staying put, says Warriors star
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has expressed his frustration at being regularly linked with a move to rugby union after confirming he would be playing with the Warriors in 2021.
With so much uncertainty around where the Kiwi club will be based next year due to the trans-Tasman border restrictions, the inspirational captain has twice been linked with a switch to the 15-man code over the last month.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George moved quick to quell fears over the weekend that the former schoolboy rugby star may not be at the club next year following comments from incoming coach Nathan Brown that suggested he was not locked in.
Tuivasa-Sheck left no doubt as to where his commitment lies yesterday and hopes this will put an end to the rugby rumours.
‘‘It is because it’s a similar story that happens pretty much every year,’’ he said when asked if he was frustrated by the speculation. ‘‘But I’m here in 2021 with the Warriors and this is where I’ll be playing, definitely.
‘‘It’s something that’s happening all over the world, a lot of careers have been questioned. It’s just another story that’s been chucked around but I’m playing with the boys next year and I’m looking forward to it.’’
The Warriors, who have been based in Australia for the entire NRL campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic, play their final game of the season against Manly tomorrow. However, Tuivasa-Sheck will be watching from the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during last week’s loss to Canberra.
■ Forget forward-planning or a forensic review of what could have been in 2020, the last 80 minutes of the Wests Tigers’ NRL season will be a celebration.
Tonight the club will farewell club legends Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence.
Marshall is the physical embodiment of
the club’s identity while Lawrence is one of the staunchest club men to ever play the game.
And after a tough season, they both deserve the chance to smile.
‘‘They’ve been through all the ups and downs of club land, to be solid all the way through in many ways,’’ said coach Michael Maguire of Lawrence and Marshall yesterday.