Warriors Hope to Keep RTS Beyond 2024: Future Still Unclear
Auckland – The future of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck with the NZ Warriors remains uncertain as the veteran winger explores options beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of the 2026 season. Even as linked to a potential move to the English Super League and previously to a Saudi-backed rugby union competition, Warriors coach Andrew Webster suggests the door remains open for the star player to remain in Auckland.
Tuivasa-Sheck’s name surfaced last year in connection with R360, a breakaway rugby union league promising a global, grand prix-style competition. The league, backed by Saudi investors, has faced delays, pushing its launch to 2028 and has reportedly threatened players with a decade-long ban for participation. Despite the uncertainty surrounding R360, Tuivasa-Sheck confirmed he had engaged in discussions with organizers, citing the appeal of securing employment for 2027.
Recent reports indicated Tuivasa-Sheck was too considering options with clubs in the Australian NRL, specifically in Sydney. More recently, speculation has linked him to Wakefield Trinity in the English Super League. Yet, Webster downplayed the likelihood of an imminent departure, emphasizing ongoing conversations with the player.
“I’ve had plenty of conversations,” Webster stated. “Whichever way it goes, whether he stays or wherever he ends up, if he plays union or plays league… if he leaves, he goes with our blessing and if there’s an opportunity for him at the end of the season to stay, we’d celebrate that too.”
Webster acknowledged a strong rapport with Tuivasa-Sheck, stating they are “on the same page,” which he believes is a positive sign regardless of the ultimate outcome. This sentiment echoes previous statements where Webster expressed his desire for Tuivasa-Sheck to remain with the Warriors.
The 32-year-classic Tuivasa-Sheck himself has remained measured in his public comments, focusing on the present and his commitment to the Warriors’ pre-season preparations. “My head is still down in the trenches for the pre-season,” he said. “Just trying to turn up each day, each week for the grind, because everyone is so fast and I have to keep up. Future stuff I will get to at some stage, but I’m always putting my actions on the field and do my talking from there.”
The Warriors’ interest in bolstering their roster is also evident, with reports linking them to Will Warbrick, a former All Blacks Sevens star and Melbourne Storm winger. Webster cautioned against placing too much stock in rumors, noting the unreliability of media speculation. “A lot of the time, we’re linked to players that we’re not even close to signing or I get a text message from someone saying, ‘I heard so-and-so is starting tonight’, but no, they’re not,” he explained. “I don’t know where it comes from, but sometimes where there’s smoke, there’s fire and sometimes they’re just miles off. Sometimes they’re just trying to pump up the price.”
Tuivasa-Sheck’s contributions to the Warriors are undeniable. He remains the only player in the club’s history to win the Dally M Medal as the NRL’s Player of the Year, achieving this honor in . He also secured his fourth Simon Mannering Medal as the Warriors’ Most Valuable Player last year, highlighting his continued importance to the team.
The Warriors also have several other players whose contracts expire after the current season, including Kurt Capewell and Marata Niukore. Niukore, a veteran second-rower, has been linked with a move to the Newcastle Knights, but remains focused on the present. “I haven’t read too much into it, to be honest,” Niukore said. “It’s pretty clichéd, but that stuff will sort itself and, over time, I’m pretty sure we’ll knock it on the head and hopefully that’s it.” He indicated that any official announcements are still some time away.
As the Warriors prepare for the upcoming season, the situation surrounding Tuivasa-Sheck’s future remains a key storyline. While his potential departure would undoubtedly be a blow to the club, Webster’s comments suggest a respectful and open dialogue with the player, leaving the possibility of a contract extension – or a continued partnership – still on the table.