John Nick
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Me to. Excitement machine.
Just what we need
General Warriors Preseason 2024
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Just what we need
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I'd say both sides are keeping a close eye
He's off contract at the moment - with no injury history I'm certain the club would have extended him but presumably they want to see him get through a sustained period injury free before doing so.
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Warriors coach Andrew Webster reveals Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will have roving role in 2024 NRL season
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will have a unique roving role at the Warriors this year, used in a way that could be a first for the Auckland club.
While the 30-year-old is likely to be listed as a centre, he will have a licence to roam on attack, able to inject himself where he sees fit. The hybrid function aims to get the best out of Tuivasa-Sheck’s talents, while also adding variety and punch to the Warriors’ offensive options.
Coach Andrew Webster revealed his plan in an interview with the Herald just before Christmas.
“If you look at what Roger is very good at, it’s pretty clear,” said Webster. “He’s good at making people miss when he has the ball. He’s got a high work rate, he’s super agile, he’s unbelievably fit - I don’t want him just parked out in the centres, waiting for the ball. I want him to go and get it and once he gets it ... if he wants to stay in there and seize it again, he can stay there.”
Webster hopes for a best-of-both-worlds scenario, as Tuivasa-Sheck could add spark to the Warriors’ edge while also creating impetus around the ruck.
“I’m not having a quality player like Roger sitting out there doing nothing,” said Webster. “He is always looking for work and trust me, front rowers don’t want to tackle Roger.”
There will be some adjustment required, as fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a remarkable 2023 campaign, especially with his charges through the middle and ability to create space for his outsides, particularly on the right flank, but the Warriors’ overall attack should be enhanced.
Tuivasa-Sheck’s role might look similar to how Joseph Manu has been employed at the Roosters over the past few seasons. The Kiwi international defends at right centre for the Sydney club but pops up everywhere on attack, especially in the opposition 20.
Webster didn’t specify if Tuivasa-Sheck would be used at right or left centre, saying all centre contenders will train on both sides throughout the pre-season.
Across his 195-game NRL career, Tuivasa-Sheck has never played centre – with 135 matches at fullback, 59 on the wing and one at five-eighth – but Webster is confident the adjustment won’t be too problematic.
“It’s mainly the defensive movements and learning our patterns there but he will be fine,” said Webster. “He has sat in the front line in rugby union [at second five and centre] and learnt that and he debuted for the Roosters on the wing. It was a long time ago [2012 and 2013] but it’s not like he hasn’t done it and can’t do it.
“I don’t think he will have much to learn on the attack side; if you give Rog the ball I won’t need to draw a script for him, he knows what he is going to do.”
The return of the 30-year-old to his hometown club – after two years away to chase his All Black ambitions – has captured the imagination of the league public and should bring significant commercial and off-field benefits.
But Tuivasa-Sheck was pursued by the Warriors for two overriding reasons – because of what he can add to the match-day mix, as well as the standards he sets in training.
“I wanted Roger to come to us because I thought he would fit in to the way this team needs to play,” explained Webster. “I want Roger to be himself because what he is already good at will work so well here.”
Webster reiterated that it is not his intention to use Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback, despite his previous deeds there, including his spectacular 2018 season, where he was honoured with the Dally M Medal. Nicoll-Klokstad will be the first-choice option, with Taine Tuauapiki as the back-up.
“Charnze is our fullback,” said Webster. “I don’t know how many reps Roger will get at fullback [in pre-season], if any. I’ve already got two fullbacks.”
Webster agreed that the possibility of Tuivasa-Sheck as custodian can’t be fully discounted – if there are injuries or suspensions - but it is only a fall-back option.
“You never know, at some stage in 2024 Roger may play fullback – and the media or the fans will say ‘you said he wasn’t going to play there’,” said Webster. “What I can say is that he is not going to play in front of Charnze, that is for sure.”
With a month until the first NRL trial against the Wests Tigers in Christchurch, the full squad is back in training, with Nicoll-Klokstad (Kiwis) and Addin Fonua-Blake (Tonga) the last to return due to their international commitments.
‘Making people miss’: Warriors coach reveals roving role for RTS
The hybrid function is aimed at getting the best out of Tuivasa-Sheck’s special talents.
This sounds promising. We had Johnson on the other side a bit more last season as well which is something I've always been in favour of. The opposition are scouting plays around the half that typically plays on that side and then Johnson pops up.
RTS will hopefully make our left side more dangerous. Assuming he plays predominantly on that side.
But having some old-school plays where the centre pass the ball to each other would work similarly to having the half on the other side of the field. It would give the defense something different to think about.
It sounds like Webster is more talking about having RTS go get the ball if it is not coming to him. I hope this doesn't end up with RTS getting overloaded with hit-ups like when he was playing fullback and ends up as planned. Something that makes us more dangerous on offence. Having some plays around it would be nice.
RTS will hopefully make our left side more dangerous. Assuming he plays predominantly on that side.
But having some old-school plays where the centre pass the ball to each other would work similarly to having the half on the other side of the field. It would give the defense something different to think about.
It sounds like Webster is more talking about having RTS go get the ball if it is not coming to him. I hope this doesn't end up with RTS getting overloaded with hit-ups like when he was playing fullback and ends up as planned. Something that makes us more dangerous on offence. Having some plays around it would be nice.
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Christchurch_Warrior
Contributor
This is going to make our attack more unpredictable which is what we need. At the back end of last season you got the feeling that teams had worked out our attacking structures. I also suspect RTS is a lock in for one of the Centre positions. Going to be interesting who gets the other.Warriors coach Andrew Webster reveals Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will have roving role in 2024 NRL season
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will have a unique roving role at the Warriors this year, used in a way that could be a first for the Auckland club.
While the 30-year-old is likely to be listed as a centre, he will have a licence to roam on attack, able to inject himself where he sees fit. The hybrid function aims to get the best out of Tuivasa-Sheck’s talents, while also adding variety and punch to the Warriors’ offensive options.
Coach Andrew Webster revealed his plan in an interview with the Herald just before Christmas.
“If you look at what Roger is very good at, it’s pretty clear,” said Webster. “He’s good at making people miss when he has the ball. He’s got a high work rate, he’s super agile, he’s unbelievably fit - I don’t want him just parked out in the centres, waiting for the ball. I want him to go and get it and once he gets it ... if he wants to stay in there and seize it again, he can stay there.”
Webster hopes for a best-of-both-worlds scenario, as Tuivasa-Sheck could add spark to the Warriors’ edge while also creating impetus around the ruck.
“I’m not having a quality player like Roger sitting out there doing nothing,” said Webster. “He is always looking for work and trust me, front rowers don’t want to tackle Roger.”
There will be some adjustment required, as fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a remarkable 2023 campaign, especially with his charges through the middle and ability to create space for his outsides, particularly on the right flank, but the Warriors’ overall attack should be enhanced.
Tuivasa-Sheck’s role might look similar to how Joseph Manu has been employed at the Roosters over the past few seasons. The Kiwi international defends at right centre for the Sydney club but pops up everywhere on attack, especially in the opposition 20.
Webster didn’t specify if Tuivasa-Sheck would be used at right or left centre, saying all centre contenders will train on both sides throughout the pre-season.
Across his 195-game NRL career, Tuivasa-Sheck has never played centre – with 135 matches at fullback, 59 on the wing and one at five-eighth – but Webster is confident the adjustment won’t be too problematic.
“It’s mainly the defensive movements and learning our patterns there but he will be fine,” said Webster. “He has sat in the front line in rugby union [at second five and centre] and learnt that and he debuted for the Roosters on the wing. It was a long time ago [2012 and 2013] but it’s not like he hasn’t done it and can’t do it.
“I don’t think he will have much to learn on the attack side; if you give Rog the ball I won’t need to draw a script for him, he knows what he is going to do.”
The return of the 30-year-old to his hometown club – after two years away to chase his All Black ambitions – has captured the imagination of the league public and should bring significant commercial and off-field benefits.
But Tuivasa-Sheck was pursued by the Warriors for two overriding reasons – because of what he can add to the match-day mix, as well as the standards he sets in training.
“I wanted Roger to come to us because I thought he would fit in to the way this team needs to play,” explained Webster. “I want Roger to be himself because what he is already good at will work so well here.”
Webster reiterated that it is not his intention to use Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback, despite his previous deeds there, including his spectacular 2018 season, where he was honoured with the Dally M Medal. Nicoll-Klokstad will be the first-choice option, with Taine Tuauapiki as the back-up.
“Charnze is our fullback,” said Webster. “I don’t know how many reps Roger will get at fullback [in pre-season], if any. I’ve already got two fullbacks.”
Webster agreed that the possibility of Tuivasa-Sheck as custodian can’t be fully discounted – if there are injuries or suspensions - but it is only a fall-back option.
“You never know, at some stage in 2024 Roger may play fullback – and the media or the fans will say ‘you said he wasn’t going to play there’,” said Webster. “What I can say is that he is not going to play in front of Charnze, that is for sure.”
With a month until the first NRL trial against the Wests Tigers in Christchurch, the full squad is back in training, with Nicoll-Klokstad (Kiwis) and Addin Fonua-Blake (Tonga) the last to return due to their international commitments.
‘Making people miss’: Warriors coach reveals roving role for RTS
The hybrid function is aimed at getting the best out of Tuivasa-Sheck’s special talents.www.nzherald.co.nz
Canadian_Warriors_Fan
Contributor
Could be nothing but...
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Got to love the social media team, has to be the best in the NRL.
View: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNEDmmLv/
All they need to do is find him a Samoan girlfriend and keep him here long term
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Very excited at RTS + CNK attacking the ruck together. Another masterstroke by Webby. RTS at fullback messes with what's been working, RTS at centre is a whole other attacking dimension. Plus the last thing CNK needs is more uncertainty around his position.
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Got to love the social media team, has to be the best in the NRL.
View: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNEDmmLv/
All they need to do is find him a Samoan girlfriend and keep him here long term
Hope he can translate that training in to game day. He was passing the ball in that clip to the guy outside him and doing it quickly.
~Navigator~
Contributor
JOHNSON’S INJURY SCARE
Warriors superstar Shaun Johnson is in a moon boot after suffering an ankle injury at training.
The club confirmed to SEN NZ that the 33-year-old is awaiting scans and is indeed in a moon boot.
Johnson is coming off his best season to date after steering the Warriors to a preliminary final. He was just pipped by Knights fullback for the Dally M medal but was voted by his peers as the RLPA’s Players’ Champion.
He is coming off contract at the end of this season.
Warriors superstar Shaun Johnson is in a moon boot after suffering an ankle injury at training.
The club confirmed to SEN NZ that the 33-year-old is awaiting scans and is indeed in a moon boot.
Johnson is coming off his best season to date after steering the Warriors to a preliminary final. He was just pipped by Knights fullback for the Dally M medal but was voted by his peers as the RLPA’s Players’ Champion.
He is coming off contract at the end of this season.
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Lots of interesting narratives:
Can the NRL team back last year's performance or improve it?
Can the NSW team do likewise?
What will the Age Level teams do? What outward signs will we see that will indicate some kind of integrated way of playing (ie no watching the U19s boy crash and bash 'cos they're Big Boys while the NSW Cup boys have a more structured draw and pass game).
Someone on here made the observation of how the U17s and U19s appeared to be playing Same Day Same Place regularly. Logical and we should be pushing that at NSW and NRL levels to happen as much as practical.
And just as I edit this (thought I'd posted it yesterday morning!):
RTS in a roving commission. Sensible but I'd make the point but you don't want to give that right to many players. It sometimes felt in earlier seasons that every player took on a roving commission as of right and roved around on defence as well!
SJ injured. Dang-a-ding-dang-doo!!
Can the NRL team back last year's performance or improve it?
Can the NSW team do likewise?
What will the Age Level teams do? What outward signs will we see that will indicate some kind of integrated way of playing (ie no watching the U19s boy crash and bash 'cos they're Big Boys while the NSW Cup boys have a more structured draw and pass game).
Someone on here made the observation of how the U17s and U19s appeared to be playing Same Day Same Place regularly. Logical and we should be pushing that at NSW and NRL levels to happen as much as practical.
And just as I edit this (thought I'd posted it yesterday morning!):
RTS in a roving commission. Sensible but I'd make the point but you don't want to give that right to many players. It sometimes felt in earlier seasons that every player took on a roving commission as of right and roved around on defence as well!
SJ injured. Dang-a-ding-dang-doo!!
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