All Blacks coach backs Tuivasa-Sheck rugby switch
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen would welcome a potential code switch from Kiwis fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Reports out of Sydney this week once again raised the prospect of Tuivasa-Sheck moving from league to union when his contract at the Warriors finishes at the end of next year’s NRL season.
Growing up in Auckland, Tuivasa-Sheck made the New Zealand schools union team but went on to play a starring role for the Premiership-winning Roosters prior to assuming the captaincy at the Warriors last year.
The 24-year-old has long spoken of his desire to potentially return to union one day, and in reports this week his agent Bruce Sharrock indicated a move was a strong possibility.
While there would naturally be an adjustment period, on face value his ability under the high ball and broken field running would find a happy home in union.
Interest in switching codes may be genuine, but it could also be a way of maximising competition and pushing for more money during contract negotiations with the Warriors and potentially other NRL clubs.
Hansen has not spoken to Tuivasa-Sheck but encouraged him to make the switch. “No I haven’t but I like the rumour,” Hansen said before departing on the All Blacks end of year tour. “If he comes over to rugby he’d be a good player I think. One of the franchises could pick him up and be quite handy.” Sonny Bill Williams, Brad Thorn, Matt Duffie, Ngani Laumape, Israel Folau and Karmichael Hunt are just a few examples of league players to make the successful switch in recent times.-
Tongan captain Sika Manu says Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita have tapped into the emotions of their “new” nation with a first-hand view of the Pacific Island’s World Cup enthusiasm. Auckland-born Taumalolo and Sydney-born Fifita handed back jerseys and far more lucrative World Cup campaigns for New Zealand and Australia respectively to represent Tonga.
Tonga play Scotland in Cairns on Sunday.